NEPAD, AUDA partner to combat food insecurity

The African Union Development Agency (AUDA) and the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) have disclosed plans to establish strong partnerships to ensure that farmers adhere strictly to African Union Agenda 2063 goals.
This, the agency said, is in conformity with the Federal Government Agricultural Revolution for Food Sufficiency in the country.

The National Coordinator (AUDA-NEPAD)/APRM, Gloria Akobundu disclosed this at a one day national workshop on mainstreaming of African Union Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Programme (CAAPM) held in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

Akobundu who spoke through the Special Adviser to Governor Hope Uzodimma on NEPAD, Dr. Lady Clara Igolo Njoku, said AUDA-NEPAD Nigeria packaged the workshop to create awareness and educate the people on the need for healthy food security and management system and value chain.

She said: “It will also educate and support small scale farmers and relevant stakeholders on the 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 Agricultural Revolution for food sufficiency in Nigeria.

“The event will further impact and improve the capacity of the smallholder farmers and livelihoods of citizenry in actualisation of the government zero hunger policy and building the “Nigeria we want.”

She added that the programme would equally focus at 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.

Imo State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr. Cosmas Maduba, represented by the acting Permanent Secretary of his Ministry-Ambrose Chidi Duru in his goodwill message, said that the ministry would do the needful to assist in the realisation of the SDGs through participatory approach.

Maduba while calling for active participation by all and sundry commended Governor Hope Uzodimma for his spirit of doggedness to bring the visions of the SDGs to fruition in the state.

Also, speaking, the state Coordinator of the Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC)-Anthony Ajuruchi, argued that the non-oil export sector holds immense potential for driving economic growth, diversification and sustainable development in Africa.

Ajuruchi said that it had become crucial for the nation to shift focus to non-oil sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, solid minerals and services, stressing that the transition had become vital to reduce dependency on oil, create employment opportunities and foster inclusive economic growth.