The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has convened a stakeholder workshop in Abuja to analyse policy outcomes related to selected agricultural produce.
The workshop aimed to strengthen sustainable growth in Nigeria’s agricultural sector, enhance food security and job creation.
According to a statement issued by the FAO Nigeria Communications Specialist, David Tsokar, the workshop featured insights from FAO’s Monitoring and Analysing Food and Agriculture Policies (MAFAP) Programme.
In an opening remark, director of Planning and Policy Coordination in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Tanimu Ibrahim, emphasised the relevance of the workshop.
He assured that the analysis outcomes would support the administration’s efforts to ensure food and nutrition security in Nigeria.
FAO representative ad interim in Nigeria, Dominique Koffy Kouacou,also underscored MAFAP’s goal: to provide evidence-based policy options.
These options, according to Kouacou, aimed to address food security and malnutrition challenges faced by the Nigerian government.
In his response, deputy director of FAO’s Agrifood Economics and Policy Division, Dr Marco Sanchez stated that MAFAP has successfully assisted countries in Africa and Asia with over 30 reforms.
He said that for Nigeria, the analysis pinpointed priority areas for investment to improve food and nutrition security and boost rural employment.
Participants at the workshop include; representatives from the Bank of Agriculture, FMAFS, the Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning, and other agencies.
They discussed policy implications and expressed interest in further analysis across different commodities.
Presenters highlighted the need to monitor policy effectiveness over time, stating that if policies fall short of intended results, adjustments may be necessary to achieve better outcomes.