Presidency Set On National School Feeding

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The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Sonny Echono, has said that the Federal Government is set to introduce a homegrown National School Feeding programme.

According to Echono, the initiative is meant to encourage enrollment in schools and to address poverty, malnutrition and stunted growth.

Speaking with newsmen as part of activities commemorating  the 35th World Food Day celebration in Abuja, the Permanent Secretary stressed the need to create business opportunities in the rural areas and stimulate the growth of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Emphasising the need to improve the incomes of farmers, he said: “All players in the agricultural sector must re-double efforts by taking advantage provided for massive food production.”

He further noted that social protection exists when government develop policies and programmes to address economic, environmental and social vulnerabilities to food insecurity and poverty.

He added that the objective of celebrating World Food Day was to promote effective action to end hunger, malnutrition and poverty.

Echono noted that in 2012, the Federal Government approved incentives and subsides to address challenges affecting farmers, which necessitated the need for a Growth Enhancement Support Scheme (GES) and introduction of Dry Season Farming, which significantly increased yield and translated into enhanced income to our farmers.

The permanent secretary assured Nigerians that current agricultural policies would grow the sector since agriculture is now treated as viable and profitable business enterprises.

According to him, the focus on agricultural growth and national food security with the private sector taking the lead in a value chain approach in areas where Nigeria has comparatives advantage was a step in the right direction.

He added that the Federal Government’s focus on youth and women in agriculture and developing strategic partnership to stimulate investments in a market-led agricultural system would unlock Nigerian farmers’ potentials, creates wealth and lift the nation out of poverty.

The permanent secretary explained that government’s on-going efforts were geared towards ensuring national self-sufficiency in staple foods, resuscitating the cotton and textile sector, minimising post-harvest losses, re-introduction of an effective and efficient extension services delivery system.

He emphasised the need to develop the fisheries and livestock sector and the importance of linking farmers to markets and promotion of exports through value addition, standardisation and efficient regulatory controls.

He said government was promoting climate smart agriculture with the use of flood resistant and early maturing seed varieties by adopting and using organic nutrients like fertiliser, provision and use of irrigation facilities and mechanisation.

Also in Lagos, the Senior Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, reiterated the determination of the Buhari’s administration to pursue measures to reduce hunger and poverty.

At a programme on family farming at University of Lagos Staff School, Adesina urged media organisations to support ongoing efforts to reposition agriculture as a major source of income by  reporting  agricultural activities aimed at strengthening livelihoods and lifting incomes.