Stakeholders under the Community of Agriculture Non-State Actors in Nigeria (CONSA) have begun developing a strategy to support Nigeria’s implementation of the Kampala Declaration on food security adopted by the African Union.

Stakeholders at a workshop organised by CARE International in collaboration with Nigerian non-state actors on strengthening coordination and policy influence in implementing the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP)yesterday in Abuja stressed the need for effective coordination to achieve African Union targets.

Policy and Advocacy Coordinator at CARE International, Nasser Mitchell Ngaro, said the workshop was organised to develop a roadmap for implementing the CAADP/Kampala Declaration in Nigeria.

He said the initiative, in collaboration with partners such as COANSA, GIZ, and ActionAid, aims to strengthen advocacy and ensure government commitments translate into tangible outcomes.

Ngaro identified key priorities for improving agricultural productivity, including access to land, finance, and improved inputs, as well as policies that support fair trade.

He stressed that building strong collaboration between government and non-state actors is essential to addressing challenges faced by farmers and achieving sustainable food security in Nigeria.

A member of the House of Representatives, Dr. John Onyeokoro in his remarks  stated that the Nigeria’s Parliament is intensifying efforts to address food insecurity and malnutrition through coordinated legislative action, improved funding, and stronger oversight.

He disclosed  that the National Assembly had established a Committee on Nutrition and Food Security across the 36 states, forming what is known as the National Legislative Network on Nutrition and Food Security. The network, inaugurated on July 20, 2024, aims to drive a coordinated national response to the challenges.

Chairperson of the Community of Agriculture Food System Non-State Actors, Rosemary F. Young, said stakeholders are working to bridge gaps between policy and implementation by simplifying policies for farmers and ensuring inclusiveness.

She explained that the group comprises researchers, farmers, private sector players, and agro-processors, working collaboratively to support agricultural development.

Young noted that while previous phases of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) suffered from fragmented implementation, the current phase under the Kampala Declaration seeks stronger collaboration to maximise impact and reduce duplication.

She, however, cautioned that certain government policies, such as food importation aimed at reducing prices, could negatively affect local farmers by making their products less competitive

A representative of non-state actors, Chikwanji Chaufitamkawa from Malawi, emphasised the need to address fragmentation among stakeholders, noting that while non-state actors have played key roles in implementing food systems initiatives, lack of coordination has limited impact.

She said the adoption of the Kampala Declaration by the African Union and the Nigerian government provides an opportunity for a unified, systems-based approach to agriculture, nutrition, and trade.

According to her, aligning national policies and fostering collective action among governments, Parliament, and non-state actors will be critical to achieving food security and self-reliance across the continent.

Also speaking Coordinator of the Small-Scale Women Farmers Association in Nigeria, Olabisi Ogedengbe  highlighted some of the challenges facing farmers including access to land  high transportation costs and insecurity . She called on the government to provide land and create an enabling environment for farmers.

Ogedengbe stressed that improving access to land and ensuring safety would significantly enhance food production and contribute to national food security.