HEDA to host stakeholders’ dialogue ahead of UN food systems summit

AS part of the national level dialogue to set agenda for the forthcoming United Nations (UN) Global Food Systems Summit, the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA) will convene a virtual meeting of experts and key stakeholders on Thursday, April 22, to beam searchlights on the critical role of agro-meteorological information services and how it can be optimised to reduce the vulnerability of especially small-scale women, men and youth farmers to climate change.

In a statement in Lagos, the organisation’s Executive Secretary, Sulaimon Arigbabu, noted: “Our global systems are profoundly stressed from many challenges among which are climate change, conflicts and lately the Covid-19 pandemic. The global food systems are vulnerable and badly hit by these stressors.

“In Nigeria, our agriculture sector and the entire food distribution system is under threat and may unleash an unbearable food crisis on the country. Whereas everyone agrees that climate change, violent conflicts and the pandemic are urgent factors that must be addressed, not enough attention is placed on the importance of propagating the use of agro-meteorological information to reduce the negative impact of climate change.”

According to Arigbabu, “This is why HEDA Resource Centre is organising this dialogue and tailoring it to address the critical role of agro-meteorological information services in addressing these challenges.”

According to the statement, the event which is scheduled to hold at 10am via Zoom is titled: “Enhancing agro-meteorological information services delivery for resilient food systems in Nigeria: challenges, prospects and partnerships,” and it will be moderated by Ms. Ayoola Kassim of Channels Television.

The event is prepared to feature seasoned experts and key stakeholders including Prof. Mansur Bako Matazu, the Director-General/CEO of NiMet who will deliver the keynote address. Panellists will include: Engr. Sheu Bello (MNI), Director, Agric Land and Climate Management Services (FMARD); African Farmer Mogaji, Chairman of the LCCI Agric Group; Madam Hadiza Yaro, Business Development Manager for East-West Seeds, Nigeria; and Professor Olukayode Oladipo of the Department of Geography, University of Lagos.

The event will also welcome the Country Director of Oxfam in Nigeria, Constant Tchona; the National Convener, UN Food Systems Summit Dialogue, Mrs Olusola Idowu; Commissioner for Agriculture, Nasarawa State, Professor Alanana O. Otaki; and his colleague from Kebbi, Maigari Abdullahi Dakingari; among others, the statement reads.

HEDA said: “Recalling our extensive work with the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet) in 2019 and 2020, we are aware that at the heart of strengthening the food systems in Nigeria lies the ability to communicate timely agrometeorological information to every farmer. Through our work, we have been able to demonstrate that communicating timely and usable climate information together with knowledge of good agricultural practices, can help farmers and the food production system to be resilient to climatic shocks.”