An agro-based group, Nigerian Youth and Women in Agriculture, has recommended the mainstreaming of women and youth in the implementation of the Federal Government’s food security policies.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Fresh and Young Brain Development Initiative, Mrs. Nkiruka Okonkwo, spoke on behalf of the organization on the sidelines of the 2023 National Agricultural Show on Thursday in Nassarawa State.
The show is organized by the National Agricultural Foundation of Nigeria (NAFN) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and the All Farmers Association of Nigeria.
The theme for the 2023 Agriculture Show is “Towards the Realization of the Presidential Declaration of Emergency on Food Security.”
Okonkwo said that women and youths deserved to be given priority in all plans and activities towards the implementation of the 12-point action plan of the presidential declaration of emergency on food security.
The action points include the immediate release of fertilizers and grains to farmers and households, synergy between the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources for irrigation and all-year-round farming.
Others are increased security measures for farms and farmers, the improvement of transportation and storage facilities for agricultural products and the creation of a National Commodity Board for price assessment.
The action points also entail the maintenance of strategic food reserves and an enhanced CBN role in funding the agricultural value chain, resulting in a massive boost in employment and job creation in the agricultural sector.
More so, commitment to ensuring every Nigerian has access to affordable food, activation of 500,000 hectares of land for farming and river basins for continuous farming, among others.
In her presentation tagged “Youth and Women as Critical Stakeholders in Realizing the Presidential Declaration on Food Security Emergency in Nigeria,” Okonkwo identified poverty and unemployment as among the drivers of food insecurity in the country.
She said that the group was based on the global youth slogan, “Anything about us, without us, is not for us.’’
Okonkwo pleaded with the government to mainstream women and youth in all activities for the declaration at the community, local government areas, states, zonal and federal levels.
She said such inclusion would enhance their capacity to effectively contribute to food security and nutrition-sensitive agriculture.
Okonkwo emphasized that unemployment and poverty must be addressed urgently in favor of youth and women, who are often the most disadvantaged groups.
“According to Care International, 2023 unemployment and poverty rates matter because the ability to earn a living has a huge impact on one’s capacity to access food and other basic necessities of life.
“It is therefore alarming that the World Poverty Clock indicated that 71 million Nigerians are currently living in extreme poverty; this is viewed as the highest number globally.
“Urgent actions are needed to address poverty and unemployment among the vulnerable populations, particularly women, youth, persons with disabilities and smallholder farmers, to enhance their livelihoods,’’ she said.
