Abuja: Agricultural experts and officials have called for the adoption of healthy diets and sustainable food systems for all Nigerians. They emphasized that achieving food security in Nigeria requires a system that nourishes people, while also protecting land, water, and weathering environmental shocks.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, these insights were shared during a walk commemorating the 2025 World Food Day held on Thursday in Abuja. The event, themed “Our Actions Are Our Future – Healthy Diets, Sustainable Food Systems for All,” highlighted the interconnectedness between the health of Nigeria’s population and the health of its farms and forests.
Abubakar Bamai, President of the Coalition of Farmers Association of Nigeria (COFAN), represented by the General Secretary, Mr. Pius Olugbenga, underscored the importance of promoting sustainable agriculture and healthy eating. Bamai noted that addressing issues such as malnutrition, hunger, and environmental degradation is crucial for creating a resilient food system. He urged relevant agencies to introduce affordable cold rooms, silos, and processing centers at the grassroots level to reduce the significant 40% post-harvest loss.
Bamai further commended President Bola Tinubu for establishing the Ministry of Livestock, describing it as a positive development. He emphasized the importance of forestry in achieving a sustainable food system, noting that healthy forests contribute to soil fertility, water regulation, and climate stability.
Mrs. Chioma Okafor, Principal Scientific Officer representing the Ministry of Environment, stressed the need for environmental protection as a foundation for a stable food system. She reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to promoting climate-smart and sustainable land-use practices, emphasizing community-based forest management and tree planting initiatives.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Peace Evans, Principal Education Officer representing the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, encouraged Nigerian youths to view agriculture as a career opportunity. She highlighted that a shift towards sustainable food systems and healthy diets offers a profitable business path and a means of national transformation.
Mr. Chinedu Agbaji, National Coordinator of the Urban Farmer’s Cooperative Society (UFCS), reinforced that food security is a collective responsibility. He called for a national effort to protect the environment and strengthen agricultural systems, asserting that securing Nigeria’s food future requires a united approach.