Nigeria: Govt unfolds plan on urban, small-scale farming

“Operation Feed Yourself” initiative to encourage the establishment of urban farms and small home gardens

By Terhemba Daka, Abuja
Guardian
15 November 2021

As part of efforts to address malnutrition and related challenges in the country, the Federal Government, in collaboration with states, is considering an “Operation Feed Yourself” initiative to encourage the establishment of urban farms and small home gardens.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who gave the indication last Monday, explained that the programme would come under the National Economic Council and the National Council on Nutrition.

The event was a meeting on nutrition attended by the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Mrs Amina Mohammed, state governors, representatives of development partners, including UNICEF, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Aliko Dangote Foundation, and convener of the UN Food System Dialogue, Mrs. Olusola Idowu, who is also the Permanent Secretary, Budget and National Planning Ministry.

The vice president said the plan for “Operation Feed Yourself” is one of three major plans arising from the UN-backed Food Systems Dialogues to advance the fight against malnutrition.

Others are providing support to farmers across the country, especially by providing useful weather and soil pattern information that would improve farming yields, and encourage state government to ensure prompt release of budget for nutrition and related activities.

At the meeting, presentations were made by the Deputy Secretary-General, the Dialogue Convener, Oyo State government, which already has an integrated farming model, and the Director-General, Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet), on how weather information could be helpful to farmers.

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