2023 World Food Day: Farmers Are The Backbone of Our Daily Sustenance – Nuru Nigeria
World Food Day, celebrated under the theme ‘Water is life, water is food. Leave no one behind’, has once again drawn attention to the critical need for effective water resource management. This call, jointly made by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of Nigeria and Nuru Nigeria, emphasizes the significance of sound water management practices in achieving substantial food production that would have a positive impact on the lives of Nigerians. This is especially crucial in the face of soaring food prices, the impacts of climate change including flood disasters and drought, and the imperative for sustainable food policies.
Water: The Essence of Life
Water, constituting more than half of our bodies and covering around 71% of Earth’s surface, is fundamental to existence. However, only a meagre 2.5% of this is fresh, suitable for consumption, agriculture, and most industrial purposes. Water forms the bedrock of our sustenance, yet it’s not an infinite resource.
Pressures on Earth’s water resources are escalating due to factors such as rapid population growth, urbanization, economic expansion, and climate shifts. Paradoxically, while demand surges, freshwater availability per person has dwindled by 20% over recent decades. This alarming trend, coupled with declining water quality, is a consequence of prolonged mismanagement, overexploitation, pollution, and climate change. We are perilously close to a point of no return for this precious resource.
Presently, 2.4 billion individuals reside in countries facing water scarcity, notably small-scale farmers, especially women, Indigenous Peoples, migrants, and refugees. The competition for this invaluable resource is intensifying, heightening the potential for conflicts.
Approximately 600 million people, whose livelihoods are linked to aquatic food systems, are grappling with the impacts of pollution, ecosystem degradation, unsustainable practices, and climate shifts.
It’s high time we adopt astute water management practices. We must enhance agricultural productivity while ensuring equitable water distribution, safeguarding our aquatic food systems, and leaving no one behind.
Governments must formulate policies based on science, leveraging data, innovation, and cross-sectoral collaboration for effective water planning and management. They need to reinforce these policies with increased investment, legislation, technologies, and capacity building. Simultaneously, encouraging farmers and the private sector to participate in integrated solutions for a more efficient use of water and its conservation is imperative.
Every one of us needs to reevaluate our relationship with water. Our dietary choices and food production methods significantly impact water usage. Opting for local, seasonal, and fresh foods, minimizing waste, and finding sustainable ways to reuse water while averting pollution can make a substantial difference.
Water: A Source of Life and Livelihoods
Water encompasses 71% of our planet’s surface, harboring diverse ecosystems, vital habitats, and a wealth of biodiversity. Over 600 million individuals depend on aquatic food systems for their livelihoods, sustaining coastal and inland communities and influencing cultures globally.
These aquatic food systems are an exceptional and indispensable source of nutrition and food security. Rich in essential nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals crucial for human health, they are increasingly acknowledged for their potential in combating malnutrition.
Preserving these ecosystems and the species they support is not just a responsibility but a necessity for the well-being of our planet and its inhabitants.
Water: Nourishing Humanity from Past to Future
Water, though finite, is an invaluable natural resource. It underpins not just our sustenance but our very existence. Centuries ago, the ingenuity of humans led to the development of irrigation techniques, giving birth to agriculture and settled communities. This revolutionized food production and gave rise to civilizations worldwide.
From the banks of the Tigris and Euphrates nurturing ancient kingdoms to the Nile fostering Egypt, water has been pivotal in shaping human societies. Today, as the global population surges towards 9 billion, ensuring equitable and sustainable food production has never been more critical.
The challenges surrounding water—shortages, pollution, and unequal distribution—must be addressed collectively. Effective water usage, wastewater reutilization, safeguarding aquatic food systems, and providing nutritious food for all in the face of climate change and rising demand are interconnected challenges that demand united solutions.
World Food Day Celebration: Empowering Farmers for Food Security
The 2023 World Food Day celebration holds immense significance for Nuru Nigeria and its partners, particularly the ACT Foundation. This event underscores the global imperative of food, echoing this year’s theme: “Water is life, water is food, leave no one behind.”
During the recently concluded World Food Day celebration organized by Nuru Nigeria at Duragi Hotels Limited event Hall in Yola, Amy Gaman, the Executive Director of Nuru Nigeria, highlighted the organization’s efforts.
She stated that Nuru Nigeria brought together stakeholders from various sectors, placing special emphasis on farmers who are deemed as “the backbone of our daily sustenance.”
“In this gathering, we have brought together people from different sector just to ensure that we have left no one behind especially the farmers who produce our daily food that we consume.”
“They are here so that they can engage at a higher level with the government, with other NGOs, also with the educational institution to have a clearer understanding of what inclusively-led agricultural economic growth is all about .”
The aim was according to the Nuru boss was to engage in discussions and find viable solutions to enhance food security in Nigeria.
Through the ACT Foundation, according to Gaman, they have empowered approximately 36,000 individuals across Hong, Gomia, and Michika local governments with agronomic training and advanced technologies with emphasis on connecting farmers with external markets which has strengthened the agricultural value chain, especially the crucial processing roles played by women.
“From seed selections, from how to manage their farms, and all of those, to the market system also we stand as a bridge between the farmers and the external Market”
“We don’t encourage them selling at the farm gate we encourage them to sell to producers so that the value chain can be complete and they should be able to use their Collective by bargaining power as a Cooperative to go and also acquire seats you know.
These efforts have led to a positive transformation, with women farmers experiencing growth in resources, leadership, household income, and rights according to the Executive Director of Nuru Nigeria.
Amy Gaman added;
“Another aspect of this project that is key, is the processing element, ACT Foundation has been able to provide for some communities under the Nuru Nigeria project threshers and the oil pressing machine which has helped in strengthening elements of the Agricultural value chain especially the processing work that are done by women”
“70% of the farmers in the community we serve are women and no wonder they are 72% of the representation of our Farmers group,” Gaman said.
With these efforts, they now have a more prominent voice in decision-making processes as the project is about community-driven progress across the agricultural value chain, as rural communities produce 80% of the food we consume, Gaman revealed.
The panel discussion with the Commissioner of Agriculture of Adamawa state is a testament to the potential for collaboration between the government and farmers.
“From this discussion there is already a marriage between the government and the farmers you know with the inputs irrigation inputs that the government is going to provide for them, however, we don’t want to reinvent the will on policy we don’t want to reinvent the will on approaches that we use we just want to encourage the sustainability, we want to encourage direct access, direct communication and accountability between government and the people especially when it comes to agricultural development,” Amy Gaman concluded.
The challenges we face in ensuring water security and equitable access to food are complex but surmountable. Together, through science, innovation, and partnerships, we can create effective solutions and secure a brighter future for all.
We do hope that the information we were able to provide you is helpful. Check out other unique articles on our blog for more detailed information and do well to share with your friends and family. Follow us on our Twitter and Facebook to stay updated with premium details.
Please leave any comments or questions in the area given below.
DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in AgriTalker are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of AgriTalker. Any content provided by our bloggers or authors is of their opinion and is not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, or anyone or anything.
Information is presented to the best of our knowledge and while we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability concerning the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Therefore, any reliance you place on such information is strictly at your own risk.
EXTRA: Be sure to consistently check https://www.agritalker.com/ for an abundance of valuable resources, including tips, news, and updates on agriculture and farming practices to stay informed and enhance your expertise
