As part of activities to mark 2024 World Food Day, a member of the National Stakeholders Committee of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Dr. Tunde Arosanyin, has embarked on training and Empowerment programs for farmers in Yagba Federal constitency of Kogi State.
The training and Empowerment program which started on Wednesday through Friday commenced in Ejiba for Yagba West, Isanlu for Yagba East and Mopa for Mopamuro Council areas of the district.
At the training, different facilitators enlightened the farmers on the effects of climate change on farming activities in the area.
Arosanyin, a prominent nutritionist on his own took the farmers on the importance of food security on the people, stressing that Nigeria at present is no longer food secured.
Speaking on the theme for 2024: “Right to Food for a better Life and a better Future.” Arosanyin stressed that food security is important in ensuring a healthy and prosperous future for all.
He urged officials and policymakers to prioritize access to nutritious food for all, particularly the most vulnerable populations.
“The world faces increasing challenges with food shortages and malnutrition, this program is to reawaken our consciousness and serves as a reminder of the critical need to address these issues for a better tomorrow”.
Arosanyin who said Nigeria is endowed with land map of over 900 square Km, wondered why only 48% of the arable part of the land are cultivated.
“We keep shouting of hunger, yet we refused to cultivate our arable lands. What happened to the over 50 percent of our arable land that are left uncultivated.
“Nigeria is no longer food secured, a development that has led to stinginess. We’re gradually loosing our identity as a people as we are no longer eager to share food with our neighbors.”
Arosanyin urged farmers to look into the potentials in their area and harness it to make the area food secured.
He also hinted that Nigeria is gradually becoming over populated, “and that is also affecting food security especially in rural Nigeria.”
Highlights of the program was presentation of fertilizers and transport fares for over 100 farmers that attended the program across the three venues.
Arosanyin said he personally put up the program to support two House of Representative members, Hon. Leke Abejide (Yagba Federal constitency), Hon. Abiodun Faleke (Ikeja).
End.
