Gov’s wife calls for investment in agric to contain hunger
By Rita Iliya
Hajiya Fatima Bago, wife of Niger governor, has called for massive investment in agriculture to contain the Cadre Harmonisé report, which warned that over 33 million Nigerians may face hunger in 2025.
She said this, shortly after being decorated as the, “Smart Mother” of the state, at the 10th Edition of the Nutritious Food Fair in Minna in Wednesday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the fair was organised by Niger Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with HarvestPlus.
The theme of the fair is, “Sustainable Food Systems: Our Collective Responsibility.
She described the report as a call to action, adding that Niger, under the leadership of her husband, Gov. Umar Bago, had adopted a massive investment in agriculture to ensure food security.
She highlighted the state government’s efforts to promote food security, including empowering women farmers, promoting the integration of small livestock into household farming.
She said that the state government had also prioritised the training of female agricultural extension officers and community health workers.
She called on stakeholders to join forces in building a system where every family had access to nutritious food.
According to her, every woman has the opportunity to thrive, and every child has the chance to grow up healthy and strong.
She emphasised the importance of empowering women farmers, providing them with access to biofortified crops, and promoting the integration of small livestock into household farming.
Bago, who lauded the organisers of the fair, stressed the need to prioritise the training of female agricultural extension officers and community health workers.
In his remarks, Dr Yusuf Fu’ad, Country Manager of HarvestPlus Nigeria, explained that the “Smart Mother” initiative aimed to empower women to make informed decisions about nutritious meals for their families.
“The ‘Smart Mother’ initiative is designed to promote the ability of women to make the right decisions and choices when preparing meals for their families,” he said.
He commended the governor’s wife for her commitment to promoting nutrition education and healthy eating habits among women in the state.
He expressed optimism that the “Smart Mother” initiative would contribute significantly to improving nutrition outcomes in Niger State and beyond.(NAN)
Edited by Joe Idika
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