Stakeholders under the Community of Agriculture Non-State Actors in Nigeria (CONSA) have begun developing a strategy to support Nigeria’s implementation of the Kampala Declaration on food security adopted by the African Union.
The stakeholders made the call on Tuesday in Abuja at a workshop organised by CARE International in collaboration with Nigerian non-state actors on strengthening coordination and policy influence in implementing the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP).
They stressed the need for effective coordination to achieve African Union targets.
Policy and Advocacy Coordinator at CARE International, Nasser Ngaro said the workshop was organised to develop a roadmap for implementing the CAADP/Kampala Declaration in Nigeria.
He noted that the initiative aimed at strengthen advocacy and ensure government commitments translate into tangible outcomes.
Ngaro identified key priorities for improving agricultural productivity, including access to land, finance, and improved inputs, as well as policies that support fair trade.
He added that building strong collaboration between government and non-state actors is essential to addressing challenges faced by farmers and achieving sustainable food security in Nigeria.
On his part, a member of the House of Representatives, Dr. John Onyeokoro the National Assembly was intensifying efforts to address food insecurity and malnutrition through coordinated legislative action, improved funding, and stronger oversight.
He disclosed that the National Assembly had established a Committee on Nutrition and Food Security across the 36 states, forming what is known as the National Legislative Network on Nutrition and Food Security.
Onyeokoro revealed that the network was inaugurated on July 20, 2024 to drive a coordinated national response to the challenges.
Chairperson of the Community of Agriculture Food System Non-State Actors, Rosemary Young said stakeholders are working to bridge gaps between policy and implementation by simplifying policies for farmers and ensuring inclusiveness.
She explained that the group comprises researchers, farmers, private sector players, and agro-processors, working collaboratively to support agricultural development.
Young noted that while previous phases of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) suffered from fragmented implementation, the current phase under the Kampala Declaration seeks stronger collaboration to maximise impact and reduce duplication.
Also speaking,Coordinator of the Small-Scale Women Farmers Association in Nigeria, Olabisi Ogedengbe highlighted some of the challenges facing farmers including access to land high transportation costs and insecurity.
She called on the government to provide land and create an enabling environment for farmers.