- March 8, 2023
- Posted by: AITRC 2
- Categories: News, Events, Blog, Report
The Food Systems Profile for Nigeria, published by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), provides an overview of Nigeria’s food systems and identifies key challenges and opportunities for transformation towards a sustainable and inclusive food system.
It highlights Nigeria’s diverse agro-ecological zones and its potential for agricultural production, but notes that the country faces several challenges in achieving food security, including limited access to land, water, and inputs; poor infrastructure; low productivity; and climate change.
The report also stresses the importance of smallholder farmers in Nigeria’s food system and the need for policies and programs that support their livelihoods and increase their productivity. It notes the role of women in agriculture and the need for gender-sensitive policies to address the gender disparities in access to resources and opportunities.
The report identifies several priority areas for action, including improving access to inputs and technology, strengthening market linkages, promoting agribusiness development, enhancing nutrition, and addressing climate change. It also calls for a multi-stakeholder approach to food systems transformation, involving government, private sector, civil society, and research institutions.
On the issue of food security, the report also notes the importance of improving food safety and quality standards, as well as enhancing the capacity of institutions involved in food systems governance and management. It calls for increased investment in research and development to support innovation in agriculture, and highlights the potential of digital technologies in improving productivity and market access for smallholder farmers.
Additionally, the report stresses the need for effective policy coordination and coherence across different sectors and levels of government, and the importance of promoting inclusive and participatory decision-making processes that involve all stakeholders in food systems.
The report concludes that achieving a sustainable and inclusive food system in Nigeria will require a long-term commitment and investment from all stakeholders, and calls for a collective effort to catalyze the transformation of food systems towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Overall, the Food Systems Profile for Nigeria provides a valuable resource for policymakers, development practitioners, and other stakeholders involved in the transformation of food systems in Nigeria, and can serve as a useful framework for guiding action towards a more sustainable and inclusive food system in the country.
To download the report, click here
