The African Union Development Agency (AUDA) in conjunction with the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD) has drawn up strategies to encourage farmers and agricultural experts in Imo State to develop a road map to ensure food security.
The National Coordinator of AUDA-NEPAD, Gloria Akobundu, who disclosed this at a one-day workshop held in Owerri, said the effort was necessary to achieve their mandate.
At the event, tagged, ‘Mainstreaming of African Union Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Programme (CAAPM)’, and held with the theme, ‘Building sustainable African Union Water Management, Promoting Healthy Food Value Chain and Nutrition Security in the Country in Actualisation of Agenda 2063 and SDGs 2030,” the regional body urged farmers in the state to ensure strong commitment to food security in line with global demands.
Akobundu, who spoke through the Special Adviser to Governor Hope Uzodimma on NEPAD, Dr. Clara Igolo Njoku, said AUDA-NEPAD Nigeria packaged the workshop to create awareness and educate the people on the need for healthy food security, management system and value chain.
She said: “It will also educate and support small scale farmers and relevant stakeholders on adherence to the implementation of African Union Agenda 2063 Goals 1, 3, 5 and7 and Sustainable Development Goals 2, 3, 6 and14, which is in conformity with the Federal Government’s agricultural revolution for food sufficiency in Nigeria.
“The programme would equally focus on alleviating poverty, ending hunger, encouraging social cohesion and community development, reducing socio-economic inequalities, developing human capital, advancing gender equality, empowerment of youth and women, as well as promoting overall inclusive economic growth and sustainable development.”
In his speech, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr. Cosmas Maduba, represented by the acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Ambrose Chidi Duru, said the ministry would do the needful to achieve the SDGs through a participatory approach.
The state Coordinator of the Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Anthony Ajuruchi, on his part, noted that the non-oil export sector has immense potential for driving economic growth, diversification and sustainable development in Africa and beyond.
