World food day: Anambra govt seeks sustainable food systems

The Anambra State Government has reiterated its commitment to promoting intervention measures aimed at enhancing food security for a sustainable future.

The State Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Forster Ihejiofor, stated this at a press briefing commemorating this year’s World Food Day on Wednesday.

While describing the celebration, marked on October 16th annually, as impactful, he said that stakeholder collaboration is key to delivering economic prosperity and well-being to the people of the state.

He called on all stakeholders, communities, and individuals to join in a globally coordinated effort toward achieving food security and fostering sustainable agricultural practices.

According to him, the theme for this year’s celebration, “Food for Better Life and Better Future,” resonates with the urgent need to promote sustainable food systems and combat global hunger, which currently affects over 733 million people.

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“In Anambra, we recognize that food security is not just about availability but also about nutrition, safety, access, utilization, and stability. It is a critical area that shapes our social and economic landscape, reinforcing our commitment to building sustainable agricultural systems.”

He enumerated the projects undertaken by the state government, including the free distribution of 2,200,000 combinations of oil palm and staple crop seedlings to over 250,000 residents for enhanced food security, livelihood resilience, and sustainable value chain economic growth.

According to him, other intervention measures include the Farm to Feed campaign, completed and ongoing strategic statewide infrastructural projects, workshops, training sessions, and upcoming events such as farmers’ markets, a food security symposium, and community outreach programs.

“As we celebrate World Food Day, let us recommit ourselves to our regenerative agricultural policy, thus protecting our environment, enhancing agricultural productivity, and ensuring that every citizen has access to healthy and nutritious food.”

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs. Ifeyinwa Uzoka, stressed the need to maximize the limited available agricultural land through efficient resource use for a better food security system.

“Everyone in their households should farm their portion of land, no matter how small, so that we can all increase what Mr. Governor has instructed us to do, which is the Farm to Feed initiative.”

She then highlighted some of the activities undertaken by the Ministry to mark this year’s World Food Day, including a road walk/awareness creation, tours of demonstration backyard farms to illustrate the importance of the “Operation Farm to Feed Programme,” and the “Healthy Living Initiative” introduced by the State Governor’s wife, Dr. Mrs. Nonye Soludo.