Experts and stakeholders in the agricultural sector have called for a more holistic approach to transforming food systems in Africa to tackle hunger and poverty, as well as improve food nutrition.

The call was made in Nsukka on Monday during the Nigeria Women in Agricultural Research for Development (NiWARD) 2023 Hybrid Conference held at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) with the theme: “Transformation of African Food Systems: A panacea for food, nutrition security, and self-reliance.”

In a Keynote speech virtually, Mrs. Sugra Mahmood, Director and Head, Nutrition and Food Safety Department, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development said that urgent interventions on transformation of African food systems is imperative to address the economic impact on food security.

She said that Africa faces daunting challenges, grappling with an annual food import bill surpassing $60 billion and anticipating a population surge to 2.5 billion by 2050. Noting that a focused examination of challenges and opportunities emerges in transforming the continent’s food system, particularly in Nigeria.

“As Africa’s most populous nation, Nigeria initiated programmes that provided valuable insights for the continent’s food system transformation.

“The focus on sustainability, inclusive financing, and private sector collaboration aligns with regional goals.

“Nigeria’s emphasis on renewable energy, climate-resilient practices, and data-driven decision-making resonates with the broader agenda for environmentally sustainable and resilient food systems in Africa

“Nigeria’s efforts are intertwined with the broader African context, emphasizing the need for collaboration, shared insights, and coordinated strategies to advance resilient, sustainable, and inclusive food systems across the continent,” she said.

The director said further that the ministry estimated that women contribute 50 – 60% of labour in agriculture and play important roles as producers of food, managers of natural resources, income earners, and caretakers of household food and nutrition security in the agro-ecological landscapes of Nigeria.

“However, their role is not fully recognized, resulting in a lack of women empowerment. Women farmers face a lot of challenges, including lack of access to land and funding, limited access to new practices and technological advancements in farming, and fewer market opportunities, among others.

“The good news is that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is committed to addressing critical aspects of the food system transformation, as he had declared a state of emergency on food insecurity,” she said.

Prof Charles Igwe, the Vice-Chancellor of UNN while declaring the conference open said that an examination of current food systems shows that they are faced with enormous challenges globally.

Food loss across the food chains, hunger, degradation of the natural environment, climate change, and conflicts all contribute to heightened food insecurity and malnutrition.

The scale of the task involved in substantially transforming the Agri-food system in Africa is enormous and requires every stakeholder’s effort.

“This conference I believe will enlighten us on how we can change existing practices or behaviours not congruent with the sustainable food system.

“I commend the NiWARD for trailing a blaze this past 10 years. I can attest that the studies of NiWARD Fellows and Mentors have made differences in Agricultural development across Nigeria and Africa,” he said

In a remark, Prof. Stella Williams, the founder of NiWARD and a retired Professor of Agricultural Economics, at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, said that the association was created to give Nigerian scientists and agricultural researchers who have been chosen as African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) Fellows, a much-needed platform to transfer the knowledge and skills gained through the Fellowship Program to transform the rural agricultural sector in Nigeria.

She commended Prof. Yemisi Fawole, the National President of NiWARD, and her executive members for their good leadership skills and effort to move the association to the next level.

Also in a remark, Prof. Fawole, who is also the Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), said that NiWARD is filling the gaps in the Nigerian rural agricultural sector by fostering peer-to-peer knowledge transfer and ensuring the implementation of targeted empowerment policies.

“Our target is to build partnerships with government agencies and bodies, academic institutions, non-governmental organizations, faith-based groups, and the private sector geared towards ensuring food security and transformation of African food systems.

“This annual conference is bringing together all the award fellows, award mentors, and award mentees so that we can impact the community around us,” he said.

The National president thanked UNN for hosting the conference and noted that they have put together capacity training for scientists who are interested in agricultural development, gender responses, agricultural research, bridging the gap between men and women, and ensuring that more women are trained in agricultural development.

Earlier, Dr Ebele Amaechina, the chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) said that the African food system has been identified by some experts as off-track with rising undernourishment and food insecurity

“There is a need for urgent attention and action to reposition and build resilience in the continent’s food system.

“The conference will bring together more than 200 stakeholders from academia, government, and agriculture among others to address problems towards making Africa’s food system more sustainable,” she said

The highlight of the event was the launching of NiWARD at 10 Success Story Book.