In preparation for the launch of the new Zero Hunger Project, IITA, in partnership with AfricaRice, has held separate meetings with government stakeholders from Nigeria and Togo towards achieving Zero Hunger.
The Zero Hunger Project team held consultations on 18 and 22 June and 1 July with representatives from the Nigerian states of Benue, Ogun, and Ebonyi, respectively.
The three-year Zero Hunger Project, funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), will contribute to the Zero Hunger Initiatives (ZHI) within the rice and cassava value chains in the three Nigerian states and two Togolese regions—Plateaux and Kara.
In the first meeting, Zero Hunger Project Lead Debo Akande and the Project Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Manager, Oyewale Abioye, discussed the possibility of collaboration with the Benue State Commissioner of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr Timothy A. Ijir, in Abuja. Akande said IITA’s support on the Project continues the partnership with the State under the Nigeria Zero Hunger Forum led by Nigeria’s former President and IITA Ambassador, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.
He added that the Project would focus on cassava in the State and leverage technology and innovation, policy analysis, and policy engagement for technology uptake to achieve its objectives.The Hon. Commissioner thanked IITA and IFAD for selecting Benue State and focusing on the cassava value chain. He highlighted seed production, off-taking, and processing as the main challenges facing the State’s cassava sector.
At the Ogun State consultations, a joint team from IITA and AfricaRice led by the Zero Hunger Project Co-Lead Francis Nwilene of AfricaRice met with the Ogun State Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Adeola Odedina, and his team. Nwilene said the Zero Hunger Forum is an initiative by the World Food Programme (WFP) to support states in Nigeria to achieve food security.
Thanking the Project partners for considering Ogun State as one of the beneficiaries, the Hon. Commissioner remarked on the State’s uniqueness in agriculture because of their proximity to major cassava off-takers in Nigeria. He cited instances of increasing demands from starch, garri, fufu, and cassava flour factories, which would require improvement in the cassava seed system to meet higher production levels. Issues around reviewing the State’s obsolete agricultural policy were also highlighted as critical areas needing ZHI support.
During the meeting with the Ebonyi State Hon. Commissioner of Agriculture Chief Moses O. Nomeh, he mentioned that the State was working with USAID to develop a strategic policy on agriculture for the State and will be interested in working with the ZHI further. He added that since the Project will focus on rice in Ebonyi State, improving the quality of the processed rice is key.
(Source: IITA)
