As part of the efforts aimed at boosting food production in the country, Ogun State government on Tuesday joined seven other states across the country to interact with the rural dwellers on how best to improve on agricultural practices and its value chain.
The seven other participating States are Anambra, Niger, Taraba, Kogi, Abia, Ondo and Bayelsa.
Declaring the programme opened at Kobape in Obafemi-Owode local government, the Commissioner for Agriculture in the state, Dr Adeola Odedina stated that the stakeholders forum which had in attendance rural farmers, artisans, women group, traditional rulers, local government workers among others is being done at the instance of the United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres who is convening a world Food Summit later in the year.
Dr Odedina stated that as part of preparatory process to this world food summit that would be devoted to improving food production, improved nutrition, reduce poverty and hunger among others, each country that is a member of United Nations is expected to hold National Food System Summit
He explained that while the nation had held its national and regional food dialogue in February and April respectively, this third stage is about capturing specifically the rural community stakeholders who are more often than not neglected whereas they are the ones doing this business agriculture.
The Commissioner disclosed further that the outcomes of all these food dialogues at the national, regional and local levels would form the position of the country to be presented during the World Food System Summit later in the year.
Dr Odedina stated that the food dialogue among the rural dwellers is no doubt a thing of joy as it would allow them to make inputs into policies and programmes that would enhance agricultural practices as well as value chain development at the grassroots.
The Commissioner revealed that the food dialogue was in line with the Prince Dapo Abiodun's administration whose mandate revolves around using agriculture to boost food security, create jobs and wealth for the residents of the state.
Speaking earlier, the National Programme Coordinator of IFAD Value Chain Development Programme, Abuja, Alhaji Garuba Bala represented by Mr Seriki Musa as well as the VCDP Coordinator in the state, Mr Samuel Adeogun described the exercise as one that is targeted at ensuring that the people at the grassroots get their thoughts captured in the global food summit holding in the New York in September.
Commenting on the programme, the traditional ruler of Kobape, Oba Johnson Alani lauded the government for deeming it fit to hear from the rural dwellers on ways to enhance food production saying that it was no doubt a good move towards achieving food security and eradicating poverty and hunger across the globe.
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