Writing By Khadijah Aliyu; Editing By Godwin Duru
The Federal Government and relevant stakeholders have been urged to adopt collaborative, innovative, and inclusive solutions in climate-smart agriculture to tackle hunger and strengthen food security across Nigeria.
This call was made by the Country Representative and Political Director of the UK Government-funded Propcom+ Programme, Dr. Adiya Ode, during the Nutritious Food Fair held in Kano State to mark World Food Day 2025.
The event was organized by the Kano State Government in collaboration with Propcom+ (FCDO) and HarvestPlus Solutions.
Highlighting Nigeria’s worsening food insecurity, Dr. Adiya noted that, according to the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning (2024), over 31.8 million Nigerians are currently facing acute food insecurity, compounded by widespread malnutrition among women and children.
She explained that Propcom+ remains committed to driving agricultural transformation through climate-smart and market-driven innovations that empower smallholder farmers and promote sustainability.
“Government and relevant stakeholders must work together to make nutritious foods more available, affordable, and desirable for every household in Nigeria,” she emphasized
In his remarks, the Country Manager of HarvestPlus, Dr. Yusuf Dolkah Fuad, said findings from the National Food Consumption and Micronutrient Survey show that most rural households consume what they produce on their farms.
“When farmers cultivate nutrient-enriched staple crops, they gain direct access to the essential vitamins and micronutrients their families need. This food-based approach remains one of the most cost-effective and sustainable solutions to tackling hidden hunger in our communities,”
Dr. Fuad also stressed the need for stronger collaboration among development partners and government agencies.
“To make lasting progress, we must coordinate our nutrition efforts more effectively. Collaboration is the key to achieving meaningful reductions in malnutrition, especially at the community level”
Also speaking at the event, the Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Sabi Abdullahi, revealed that the Federal Government has mapped out new incentives to boost agricultural investment under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He said the measures form part of ongoing reforms aimed at unlocking Nigeria’s vast food production potential through policy innovations that will transform agriculture and infrastructure investments nationwide.
Declaring the event open, the Kano State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, reiterated the state government’s commitment to improving nutrition and food access through multi-sectoral initiatives.
He disclosed that, in collaboration with UNICEF, the state recently procured ₦1 billion worth of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) to treat malnourished children.
Dr. Abubakar also highlighted ongoing efforts to promote biofortified crops, climate-smart farming, and value addition, particularly to empower women, youth, and rural farmers.
He added that the state’s nutrition campaign has reached over three million children aged 1 to 59 months, significantly reducing mortality linked to malnutrition, pneumonia, diarrhea, and malaria.
The event, themed “Our Food, Our Heritage,” drew relevant stakeholders from within and outside the state, including government officials, development partners, researchers, and agricultural entrepreneurs, who discussed innovative strategies to strengthen food systems and promote nutrition security across the nation.
Cov/ Khadijah Aliyu
