Zero Hunger: Onyeme Urges Measures to Tackle Food Insecurity, Malnutrition

Delta State Acting Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme has stated that food insecurity and malnutrition are some of the specific areas that government at all levels should address to achieve zero hunger by the year 2030.

He made the observation on Wednesday at the 2024 World Food Day Celebration held at the Cenotaph, Asaba, Delta State.

Onyeme remarked that factors that pose challenges to food security are natural hazards arising from climate change, low levels of technology adoption, unwarranted attacks on farmlands by unscrupulous elements, distortions in the input supply chain and absence of farmer’s education.

The Acting Governor noted that the state government on account of the numerous issues that plague the sector, has put machineries in place to ensure that farmers conducted their businesses without let or hindrances.

“We are committed to encouraging smart agriculture and implementing the Delta State Government Livestock Management Law and steady supply of agricultural inputs to farmers e.g. seedlings, seeds, agro chemicals, feeds and fertilizers.

“It is recalled that 16h October every year is a day set aside for the celebration of World Food Day by the United Nations to commemorate the establishment of the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) in 1945.

“The event harps on the importance of the right of every citizen to food and also promote the fight against hunger, malnutrition and poverty.

“The theme of this year’s 2024 World Food Day celebration is ‘Right to Foods for a Better Life and A Better Future.”

“It highlights the critical importance of human right to food with collective responsibility of government and relevant stakeholders to ensure that food is available and at an affordable price”.

“According to the United Nations Universal Declarations of Human Rights ‘Everyone has the right to a standard of living, adequate for the health and well-being of himself and his family, including food, clothing, and housing among others. Therefore, having nutritious food in the right quantity is a Right not a Privilege,” the Acting Governor said.

He added that in realization of the objective of the theme of this year’s World Food Day celebration, the State Government had set up a committee on Food Security.

He also noted that, in recent times, agro inputs had been given to well over 6,000 farmers with 2000 more to be supported in the collaboration between the Delta State Government and the African Union Development Agency National Office in Nigeria.

Onyeme emphasized that the MANR has concluded arrangements to supply inputs to about 1,000 farmers in cassava and rice production in the next dry season farming.

“Great farmers!! As we celebrate this year’s World Food Day, let me remind us that we all have right to food for a better life and a better future.

“Therefore, I enjoin everyone to engage in one form of farming or the other, for instance crops, livestock and fisheries production.

“May I admonish that we should utilize our savings to invest in agribusiness to boost aggregate output, ensure sustainable food supply and eliminate hunger in our land,” Sir Onyeme stated.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Val Arenyeka, said World Food Day, an annual event celebrated on October 16 worldwide, offers a platform for stakeholders to evaluate the nature and extent of world food prospects and problems and to implement measures at the subnational, national, and international levels to end hunger, malnutrition, and poverty and ensure food security.

Arenyeka, appreciated the governor for his support to teeming farmers in the State since his assumption in office.

According to him, 6,000 farmers were empowered through the Delta Cares programme and another round of support came via the AUDA-NEPAD programme with 2,000 farmers as beneficiaries.

Highpoint of the occasion was a tour of the food exhibition stands by the Acting Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme. The exhibition showcased various food items and livestock from across the 25 local government areas of the state.