Ekiti State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Ebenezer Boluwade has stressed the importance of reliable data for proper planning and making of well-informed decisions towards achieving food security in the agricultural sector.
The Commissioner made the assertion in Ado-Ekiti while playing host to a delegation from the National Programme for Food Security who paid him an advocacy visit on the newly introduced Food and Nutrition (Cadre Harmonize) Security Analysis Tool
According to the Commissioner, with accurate data, policy makers and farmers can make better informed decisions that would improve the efficiency of farming operations, determine the most suitable inputs, strengthen the supply chain, eliminate waste, lower input costs and ultimately improve productivity , profitability and ensure food security.
Mr Boluwade expressed the readiness of his Ministry to collaborate with the team and ensure that the programme succeeds in the state
Earlier in his remarks, the leader of the team who is also the Director of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture in the State, Mr Olusegun Aderemi informed the Commissioner that the overall objective of the mission is to sensitize the State Government of the food and nutrition (Cadre Harmonize) security analysis tool, and the role the programme would play in addressing food security and humanitarian intervention challenges
He said the mission is also expected to inform the state’s food security stakeholders of the benefits of the CH analysis in planning food and nutrition security programmes; Sensitize the state’s MDAs on the actions required to ensure full participation in the CH process as well as Enlighten the state’s MDAs on data requirement for CH analysis
Mr Aderemi said the State Government through the ministry was expected to Inaugurate a 15- member State Analysis Taskforce (SATF) Committee that would work on data collection in their respective Ministries, Departments and Agencies to ensure the success of their programme in the State
Present at the event was the National Analyst on the National Programme for Food Security
Mr Ibrahim Iro and a representative of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Abuja Mr Farouk Abdulrahman and others.
In the meantime, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security Engr.Olugbenga Odesanmi has
inaugurated the 15- Member State Analysis Task Force (SATF ) on data collection from MDAs with a call on members to make positive contributions towards the success of the programme n the State.
Addressing members of the task force at a ceremony in Ado-Ekiti, the Permanent Secretary called for proper synergy among MDAs on data collection, documentation and dissemination on the programme more so that the programme is designed to support the vulnerable population and cushion evolving food and nutrition security crisis in high risk areas.
He disclosed that as State Analysts members of the Taskforce would immediately undergo a one day inception briefing where they would be exposed to the principles and standards of carrying out the CH analysis.
In his remarks the Minister for Agriculture and Food Security represented by the State coordinator of Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Segun Aderemi pointed out that the appointment is to ensure adequate food security in the state as well as to combat extreme emaciation caused by malnutrition.
He stressed that the diverse background and expertise of the different delegates should be unveiled to signify their dedication and success.
Also speaking, a member of the National Task Force, Mr Ibrahim Iro gave a brief overview on what the programme entails which includes; visit to rural areas, computer literacy competency, training, data collection and analysis.
He also accentuated that the exercise is aimed at curbing food and nutrition insecurity in the state.
Representatives of MDA’s / CSO/ NGO present at the event include those of the State Mistry of information, ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Bureau of land services, Agricultural development project, living world mission international (CSO), ministry of health state primary care Development Agency, state emergency management agency, ministry of women affairs, ministry of budget, planning and performance management, ministry of infrastructure and public utilities (water resources), office of the statician general, Ekiti state.