By Victoria Okpanachi
The Kogi State Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP-AF), supported by IFAD in collaboration with the Federal and State Governments, has convened a Nutrition Policy Dialogue in Lokoja designed to strengthen nutrition-focused interventions among farmers and rural households across the state.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Timothy Ojomah, represented by the Permanent Secretary , Mr Moses Dare, said the Ministry of Agriculture will continue to support State Government’s efforts at boosting food production and improve food supply systems.
The commissioner noted that initiatives such as the Nutrition Policy Dialogue will help align agricultural production with nutrition outcomes, adding that the programme represented a step in the right direction towards improved food security and public wellbeing.
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In her remarks, the State Coordinator of Kogi IFAD VCDP-AF, Mrs Stella Adejo (PhD), emphasised that nutrition remains a core component of the programme, stressing that the health of farmers was critical to sustaining productivity and ensuring food security.
She highlighted that the programme has built substantial capacity among farmers and women in rural communities through the provision of orange-fleshed sweet potatoes, assorted seedlings and dietary information aimed at improving household nutrition.
The state coordinator acknowledged that while notable progress had been recorded, significant gaps still exist, particularly in improving nutrition outcomes for infants and young children.
According to her, access to affordable and nutritious food is fundamental to development and must be prioritised by all stakeholders, while calling for stronger collaboration.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of the Agricultural Development Programme (ADP), Dr Bello Ogrima, described nutrition as a major determinant of farmers’ productivity.
He recalled that poor nutrition awareness in the past had negatively affected farmers’ health and yields, noting that improved knowledge has now enhanced their efficiency and output.
Providing expert insight, the Executive Director of Afomdabo Nutrition Consulting Firm, Mr John Tsebam, spoke on nutrition-sensitive agriculture, highlighting strategies such as crop diversification, biofortification, livestock and aquaculture development to improve household nutrition.
The VCDP is a programme actively intervening in five local government areas, namely Ibaji, Ajaokuta, Lokoja, Kabba/Bunu and Olamaboro, with targeted agricultural and nutrition interventions aimed at improving livelihoods and nutrition outcomes.
