By Patricia Amogu
Agricultural experts and officials have called for eating of healthy diets and sustainable food systems for all Nigerians.
They noted that achieving food security in Nigeria demands a system that nourishes people, protects land ,water and weather shocks.
Experts said this during a walk in commemoration of the 2025 World’ Food Day in Thursday in Abuja.
The event has the theme, “`Our Actions Are Our Future – Healthy Diets, Sustainable Food Systems for All ’’.
The stakeholders emphasised that the health of the Nigerian population is linked to the health of its farms and forests.
President, Coalition of Farmers Association of Nigeria (COFAN), Abubakar Bamai, said that the daily choices made in production and consumption of food shape the quality of our future and generations.
Bamai represented by the General Secretary, COFAN, Mr. Pius Olugbenga, stressed that the urgency to promote both sustainable agriculture and healthy eating has never been greater.
He noted that with challenges spanning malnutrition, hunger and environmental degradation, a good food system sets a difference between diets that drain health and ecosystems and diets that build resilience and dignity.
He called on relevant agencies to introduce accessible cold rooms, silos and processing centres at the grassroots level.
“Another major shift to be addressed is 40% loss of produce after harvest which is an unacceptable waste.
“We are calling on relevant agencies and private investors to introduce industrial-scale preservative and storage solutions, cold rooms, silos,and dryers that are affordable and accessible to farmers at the grassroots.
“ Immediate investment in industrial-scale preservation and storage is very important at this time.
” This action is seen as a rapid, necessary step to stop wasting what we toil to grow and ensure the supply chain is as efficient as the farm itself,’’ he said.
He also commended President Bola Tinubu for the creation of the Ministry of Livestock, calling it a right step in right direction.
Bamai highlighted the crucial, yet often overlooked, role of forestry in this mission, adding that a sustainable food system cannot exist without healthy forests.
“Our forests are not just home to biodiversity, rich fauna and flora; they are vital to soil fertility, water regulation, and climate stability,’’ he said.
” This simple act of patronage will not only boost incomes but also reduce post-harvest losses and stimulate local economies.
“By linking these actions, Nigeria’s ambition to be a self-reliant nation that ultimately will feed Africa can be achieved,’’ he said.
Mrs Chioma Okafor, Principal Scientific officer, representing the Ministry of Environment pointed out that any blueprint for a stable food system must begin with environmental protection and conservation.
According to her, ‘`every tree planted, every forest protected and every sustainable agricultural practice adopted is a step toward a healthier planet and a nourished future for all”.
She reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to promoting climate-smart and sustainable land-use practices.
Okafor added that strengthening community-based forest management and supporting tree planting initiatives underscores the consensus that food security is first and foremost, a collective environmental responsibility.
Mrs Peace Evans ,Principal Education Officer representing the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education called on Nigerian youths to leverage natural resources for deliberate empowerment and see agriculture as a career.
She said a fundamental shift towards sustainable food systems and healthy diets is a profitable business and a path to national transformation which our youths can tap into.
” The first is tackling the crisis of lost potentials by engaging Nigeria’s young population and empowering them.
“The perception that farming is a profession for the old is a narrative that must change,’’ she said.
Mr Chinedu Agbaji, National Co-ordinator, Urban farmer’s Cooperative Society(UFCS), affirmed that food Security is a Collective responsibility.
” Securing Nigeria’s food future is not just the government’s job, but a collective national responsibility that begins with protecting the environment.
” It is a collective call to action towards achieving food sufficiency and strong agricultural systems,” he said (NAN)
Edited by Augusta Uchediunor/Francis Onyeukwu
