The Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) has called for the preservation of food culture in Nigeria. The civil organisation said food preservation is one of the biggest challenges in the world, stressing that food insecurity stems from the new wave of colonialism that is systematically taking hold of food systems worldwide.

The organisation, in a statement to commemorate World Food Day, noted that the day is a reminder of the avoidable fate of millions worldwide, who suffer from hunger despite abundant natural and human resources.

The Executive Director of HOMEF, Nnimmo Bassey, said that modern agricultural biotechnology directly undermines the pursuit of food sovereignty, emphasising that it poses a threat to the dignity and fundamental right to refuse foods laden with uncertain health consequences and an agriculture system that stresses the ecosystems.

Bassey, who calls for the removal of genetically modified foods from food shelves, said Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) are being pushed into the food system without stringent government regulations.
“People do not know the implications of growing or eating GM foods, because the population is not given information on the risks related to the technology.

“In Nigeria, approvals for importing GMOs are granted without adequate public notice, proper and independent health and environmental impact assessments. It is improper for our farmers to be given seeds to grow without telling them what they are planting or what eventually will end up on the consumer’s plate.”

MEANWHILE, the Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, Monday, said flood and water pollution were hampering food production in Nigeria, calling on the Federal Government and the United Nations (UN) to tackle the menace to ensure food sufficiency in the country.

Oborevwori made the call in his remarks at the 2023 World Food Day Celebration with the theme: “Water is life, water is food, leave no one behind,” held at the Cenotaph, Asaba, yesterday.

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Monday Onyeme, stated that the aim of the day was to promote global awareness and action for those who suffer from hunger, and to highlight the need to ensure healthy diets for all.

He said although water makes up over 50 per cent of our bodies and covers about 71 per cent of earth’s surface, only 2.5 per cent of water is fresh, suitable for drinking, agriculture and for most industrial uses.  

Oborevwori said: “It is important to emphasise that water is a driving force for people, economies and nature, as well as the foundation of our food.

“Data from FAO, further shows that the global food system relies heavily on water resources, with agriculture consuming 72 per cent of the world’s fresh water.”