The Edo government says it is committed to fight against hunger, poverty and malnutrition in the state.
Mr. Peter Aikhuomobhogbe, the permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, made the remark at a programme organized to commemorate the World Food Day on Saturday in Benin.
The News Agency of Nigeria NAN reports that World Food Day is celebrated annually on Oct. 16.
The day is to promote global awareness and action for those who suffer from hunger and to highlight the need to ensure healthy diets for all.
The theme for this year’s celebration is “Our Actions Are Our Future. Better production, Better nutrition, Better environment and Better Life”.
Aikhuomobhogbe, who noted that the state had zero tolerance for hunger, said that every human being had a fundamental right to adequate food and be free from hunger.
He said there was the need to build a future of high productivity, better nutrition and better life, without prejudice to a sustainable and safe environment.
Aikhuomobhogbe said the government had put in place numerous agricultural programmes and other related small-scale industries that would facilitate food production, create jobs and wealth in the state.
He explained that more than 45,000 hectares of land was allocated to six investors under Edo State Oil Palm Programme (ESOPP) initiative for the revitalization of the oil palm sector for global competitiveness, job and wealth creation.
“The Edo State Agripreneur Programme has been position to promote sustainable livelihoods and create at least 30,000 jobs in crops, livestock and catfish production value chains.
“This year, a total of 444 hectares have been cultivated for rice grain production at Agenebode, Warrake, and Agbede.
“The catfish production component of the programme is ongoing with the training and empowerment of more than 329 farmers producing over 400,000 catfish.
“Over 2,050 small scale farmers have so far benefited from inputs, fertilizers, under the Independent Farmers Initiative (IFI) of the state government to cushion the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
“The empowerment of over 627 cassava, broilers and catfish farmers across the three senatorial zones in the state is ongoing under donor assisted programme, Edo CARES Project.
“Trained youths are being empowered to own their Agric-enterprises under the IFAD’s Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprise Programme in Niger Delta (LIFE-ND) Project.
“The right to adequate food is realized when every man, woman and child has the physical and economic access at all times to adequate food or means for its procurement.
“Hungry people have learning difficulties, are less productive at work, sick more often and live shorter lives.
“It is in realisation of this that the state government has committed resources to guarantee food security and eradicate hunger in the state,” he said.
Aikhuomobhogbe stated that the Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) would continue to provide farmers with access to improved extension services and high quality planting inputs.
He added that government had engaged new Agricultural frontline officers to strengthen the extension delivery system in the state.
According to him, the task of achieving food security in the state is on course through the various agricultural programmes, initiatives and donor assisted programmes.
Aikhuomobhogbe appealed to all citizens and residents of the state to make healthy eating a way of life and join government to make the state free of hunger. (NAN)
