The US unveils a global food security strategy plan for Nigeria

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) says the US government has unveiled its new Global Food Security Strategy Country Plan for Nigeria.

USAID Mission Director Melissa Jones, who disclosed this at the “1st Post-harvest Connect Conference and Exhibition” in Abuja, said the plan was unveiled in March.

Ms Jones said the plan is in line with President Joe Biden’s commitment to improving food security in Nigeria.

The Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI) organized the conference in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Safety (FMAFS) and the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), among others.

Mrs Jones said the new strategy prioritizes the rice, maize and horticulture value chains in Kaduna, Kano, Nasarawa, Plateau, Sokoto and Zamfara.

According to her, the program builds on previous achievements and lessons learned and prioritises inclusive participation, value chain, climate adaptation and private sector engagement.

The Director said USAID looks forward to working with the Nigerian government, especially the NSPRI, to advance the technology and infrastructure needed to reduce post-harvest losses in Nigeria.

Ms. Jones called the conference timely given growing food insecurity, food price inflation of over 40 percent and increases in the overall cost of living.

She denounced that the rise in the cost of living had brought untold hardship to millions of people who could not afford basic necessities.

“Currently, post-harvest losses in Nigeria are close to 50 percent for fresh produce.

“It is vital that we all come together to ensure that farmers’ hard work is not wasted in post-harvest and reaches consumers in need,” Ms Jones said.

Garba Sharubutu, Executive Secretary of ARCN, identified one of the country’s major problems as concentrating all efforts on food production and neglecting post-harvest activities.

According to him, the conference is the beginning of sensitizing the public, government and farmers on the need to explore post-harvest activities.

(NAN)