FG, IFAD Partner to Promote Inclusive Agri-Food System Transformation

Gilbert Ekugbe

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) are partnering to promote agri-food system transformation for smallholder farmers’ empowerment.

According to them, the move is aimed towards addressing unprecedented challenges facing the global food system.

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, at a meeting with the Associate Vice-President, IFAD, Dr. Donal Brown, in Abuja to announce plans to organise an agriculture and food security summit later in the year, said that the summit is aimed at bringing together a diverse community of organisational partners and strategic stakeholders representing the public, private and social sectors.

Kyari said that stakeholders would be committed to making innovation and new technologies for Inclusive Agri-Food System Transformation and Smallholder farmers’ empowerment.

He said: “Nigeria is committed to working closely with IFAD on Inclusive Agri-Food System Transformation and Smallholder farmers’ empowerment.

“Also, our commitment to partnership with IFAD on Innovative Finance for Food System is evident in our participation in the United Nations Food System Stocktaking moment in July 2023.”  

Earlier, Brown reiterated IFAD’s continued support to the Federal Government.

He said that Nigeria was one of IFAD`s strongest partners and his missions is to strengthen and deepen the partnership.

Brown said that some of the key projects which Nigeria had identified have had significant impact at improving production