Explore Official Dialogue Feedback

Group One  How do we accelerate hunger reduction in Nigeria? - Diversification of agriculture related products - The use of mechanized farming to farm boost production - Providing solution to insecurity in the community - Rural infrastructure such as rural roads, clinics, boreholes. - Promote gender equality and empowering women in agriculture. - Capacity building of youth  How do we make nutritious foods more available and affordable in Nigeria? - Through the reduction of cost of production - Encouragement of the production of nutritious food by farmers - Provision of incentives like gr... Read moreants, low interest loan by government, banks, NGOs and other financial institutions, donor agencies. - Modern methods of preservation should be practiced. - Reduction of communal conflict through dialogue should be promoted.  How do we make food safer from farm to table in Nigeria? - Through rural infrastructure (rural roads) to assist farmers from the farm gate to the market  What is the potential action that can be taken - Instituting full participation of the agricultural value chain i.e. producers, transporters, processor, marketers and consumers. - The main actors are the producers, processors and marketers  What would change about food in the eye of consumers in terms of availability, affordability, accessibility, convenience, safety, quality, desirability etc - As a result of win-win situation, all the value chain actors must fully participate in the chain - it is all about the reduction of hunger, making nutritious food more available and affordable and also improving safety. Read less

Group Two The potential game-changing and systemic solutions that drive the transition towards healthy and sustainable consumption in Nigeria  How do we create enabling food environments for healthy and sustainable dietary practices? - Use of GAP in production, and harvesting (Good seed and land selection) - Use of machinery - Use of organic fertilizer - Establishment of home gardens - Quality processing and handling - Good packaging and storage - Use of multiple food varieties.  How do we improve the experience of healthier and more sustainable food? Good practice hygiene  How do we ... Read moreimprove consumers’ motivation and capability? - Use of multiple varieties from a single source - Good quality food with low price  How do we halve food waste at food service, retail, and household levels? - Rechauffe should be used to avoid wastage of food in households. - Hauling of maize is wasteful Read less

Group Three The potential game-changing and systemic solutions that drive the transition towards nature positive-production in Nigeria.  How do we protect natural ecosystems against new conversions for food and feed production? - Planting of trees - Avoid uprooting or cutting down of trees - Avoid bush burning - Educate farmers on the benefit of ecosystem for food production  How do we sustainably manage existing food production systems to the benefit of both nature and people? - Practice crop rotation - Encourage use of organic manure - Peace should be maintained in the community  Ho... Read morew do we restore and rehabilitate degraded ecosystems and soil function for sustainable food production? - Bush fallow - Planting of more nitrogen fixing plant/tress on farmland. - Avoid use of agrochemicals on farmland. - Avoid over grazing Read less

Group Four  What do we need to consider addressing food insecurity and enhance food systems resiliency in Nigeria? - Quality improved seed - Good transportation - Government should provide loans - Providing good storage facilities - Improve farming practices  What are the cross-cutting solutions between economic, social, and environmental resilience in Nigeria? - Solutions to unemployment - More attention to the agricultural sector - More security personnel should be employed - Planting of trees to discourage erosion  What solutions can we propose to address food insecurity and preven... Read moret future sources of conflict, manage tensions and other stresses in our food systems in Nigeria - Ranching of cattle to be encouraged to reduce farmer/herder conflict - Mechanised farming should be encouraged to feed the teeming population - Religious, ethnic and inter-tribal tolerance should be encouraged. - Laws should be enacted to punish offenders  What is the potential action that could be taken - There should be law enforcement - Total restructuring of the agricultural system to create employment and promote corruption - Attention should be given to the health sector Read less

Group Five  What are the potential actions that could be taken to advance equitable livelihoods in the context of food systems in Nigeria. - Collective best practices in food systems - Workable social protection policy  Who are the main actors that would put this action into place in Nigeria - Government - Private individuals - Private sector - Donors - Farmer organisations  How do we restore and rehabilitate degraded ecosystems and soil function for sustainable food production? - Use of organic manure - Application of zero tillage - Deliberate afforestation

At the core of a lot of divergences is that some stakeholders prefer processes that rely on individual/household level change (demand side actions), while others prefer processes that rely on institutional change (supply-side actions)  Therefore, the major area of divergent from the stakeholders was promulgate policy in support of establishment of Nigeria forest guards to tackle of farmers/herders’ crises and arm banditry within the rural communities. 2. Reduction of fiscal space: There was a strong suggestion for development of farm land within the food system to enable the down-stream s... Read moretakeholders to have access to land. 3. Lobbying and interference by special interests: This was mention by some stakeholders as one of the issues taking away corrupt practices in order to achieved a sustainable food system in Nigeria. 4. Social norms are difficult to change Yes, some stakeholders agree social norms are difficult to change but the welcome innovation with gradual change the will achieve an inclusive and sustainable working food system in Nigeria. 5. The assumption that youths would want to work in agriculture or agro-processing / food manufacturing Yes, this was a welcome advantage for the youth as presented by youth stakeholders represented. 6. Need to ensure that innovation and technology transfer is fair: Way to ensure that innovation and technology transfer is fair and equitable was brought out that if fairness, equity and justice in place avoidance of corrupt practice this will be achieved within the food system in Nigeria. 7. Stakeholders working in silos That enabling environment for all stakeholders to work interlinked the goal of SDG will be achieved in 2030. 8. Preponderant national emphasis on undernutrition: Make sure food is made available affordable for all the issue of undernutrition will be a thing of the past. 9. Trust deficits: That trust should be built across all stakeholders in the food system taking all as equal then food system in Nigeria will be built toward making food available for all. Read less

At the core of a lot of divergence is that some stakeholders prefer processes that rely on individual/household level change (demand side actions), while others prefer processes that rely on institutional change (supply-side actions). Those participants that prefer Individual level change believed that: • Individual level change was more easily implemented than institutional change. • Individual level change outcomes can diffuse across the community and produce similar effect as institutional change over time. • Individual level change is more sustainable than institutional change. 2. Re... Read moreduction of fiscal space: • Arguments for reduction in fiscal space believe that most times only those in urban areas and those high places with connections have access to fiscal interventions especially Government fiscal interventions. • Those against reduced fiscal space argue that the fiscal space affects the national revenue at all levels of government and individual businesses. 3. Lobbying and interference by special interests: • Some participants noted that some individuals/groups were strong in lobbying and negotiating skills but for their personal/group interest. • Others opined that some lobby for the interest of all. 4. Social norms are difficult to change Most cultural practices forbidding farming activities at certain times no longer exist due to influence of religion such as • Forbidding farming activities on some special days • Female circumcision which affects health of individuals and reduce farm labour in extreme cases have been stopped in the community. • Forbidding women from going to farm during menstrual cycle. 5. The assumption that youths would want to work in agriculture or agro-processing / food manufacturing • Most youths do not want to work in agriculture or agro-processing/food manufacturing except it is mechanized to reduce drudgery. • Few youths’ own farms. • Returns on investment from agricultural activities is low and therefore unattractive to the youths. 6. Need to ensure that innovation and technology transfer is fair: • The female farmers are not given preference in technology transfer and innovation during intervention. • Social norms and gender roles hinder females from fair access to innovation and technology in agriculture. • Dominance of male in technology and innovation reduces production female friendly technologies. 7. Stakeholders working in silos • Pilfering may hinder operations of stakeholders working in silos. • Surplus food must be available to ensure smooth functioning of silos • The operations of the silos should be Private driven for effectiveness. 8. Preponderant national emphasis on undernutrition: • Low knowledge of nutrition affects attitude and practice of good nutrition. • Focus on production of carbohydrate-rich foods at the expense of protein food promotes undernutrition. • High consumption of low diversity diets by most households promotes undernutrition. 9. Trust deficits: • Distrust exist among producers and consumers of farm produce in terms of the quality of food items. • Harmful method of fishing especially as it concerns using chemicals results to distrust among consumers and marketers. • Sharp practices in preservation of food affects trust. • Lack of inspection, regulation of food system activities including processing, breeds mutual distrust among actors. Read less

The main focus of the Rural Community Stakeholders Food Systems Dialogue was on the five (5) action tracks as contained in the implementation manual. Detailed discussion examined food systems dynamics, major actors, environmental and gender issues, cultural practices affective food systems. Opportunities for improved condition as well as actions to be taken by different stakeholders to achieve food security, nutritious food and healthy consumption pattern on a sustainable basis in the rural area were discussed by the participants. First was the plenary session where the reason for the dialogue... Read more was explained before they participants were put in groups to discuss the action track questions. The dialogue focused on the five action track questions as follows: Action track 1: Ending hunger and all forms of malnutrition. Recommendations: • Farming should be for everyone. • Need for home gardens. • Review School Curricula at the primary and secondary school levels to include proper nutrition and developing interest in agriculture. • Integrated farming should be encouraged. • Mechanization of farm operations is key. • Construction/rehabilitation of access road to farms. • More extension agents, awareness creation on healthy feeding. Action track 2: Shifting to Healthy and sustainable consumption pattern. Recommendations: • Promoting high yielding varieties of crops and smart agricultural practices by strengthening linkages between research policy makers and farmers. • Awareness creation, advocacy, and education of rural populace on healthy and safe food consumption patterns. • Dry season production of safe and healthy foods to ensure all year-round availability. Action track 3: Optimizing environmental resource use in food production, processing and distribution, thereby reducing biodiversity loss, pollution, water use, soil degradation and greenhouse gas emissions. Recommendations: • Stoppage of bush burning and open grazing. • Addressing oil spillage. • Promoting the use of organic fertilizers as against the use of inorganic ones. • Convert waste to wealth through recycling. • Use of biological methods of pest control and food preservation. • . Discourage the use of chemical near fishponds. • Encourage the production of cover crops and making ridges across slopes to control erosion. Action track 4: Advancing equitable livelihoods in Nigeria to eliminate poverty. Recommendations • Financial empowerment of farmers. • improved road network. • Address security issues • Improved extension services. Action track 5: Building the resilience of food systems in Nigeria to withstand vulnerabilities, shocks and stress. Recommendation: • Good road to improve transportation of farm produce from farm to market. • Provide farmers with information on climate change especially as it relates to rainfall and when it is best to commence planting. • Adopt climate smart and nutritionally responsive practices – e.g. use of drought and flood tolerant crop. • Encourage farmers to form associations or cooperatives and strengthening existing associations/cooperatives. • Provide insurance facilities. One area of consensus was urgent need to address the security issues especially the menace of herds men to allow farmers go to their farms without fear of being kidnapped or killed. Also to allow farmers reap the fruit of their labour. Read less

The main findings from the dialogue is as detailed below: 1. Everyone is to engage in farming even if it is homestead garden to ensure that we all take nutritious food. 2. Government and relevant agencies to assist in acquisition of and access to land for persons interested in farming according to need. 3. Improved linkage between farmers and extension service providers to provide technical advice to promote good agricultural practices in the communities. 4. Effective information sharing and dissemination on existing markets for farm inputs as well as related agricultural products and services... Read more to encourage all year farming, increase production, availability, reduce hunger and affordability of nutritious foods. 5. Government to facilitate the establishment of storage facilities to reduce post-harvest loses and ensure continuous availability and affordability during off season. This will reduce food inflation in the rural areas as currently experienced in the community. 6. Address security issues using community vigilante and police. 7. Farmers to desist from use of harmful chemicals and adopt good agricultural practices in crop cultivation, livestock farming, processing and marketing of agricultural produce and services to ensure availability of safe food. 8. To ensure safe foods, regulatory agencies in-charge of consumer rights and food safety should be strengthened to deliver on their respective mandates. 9. Promotion of Climate Smart agriculture technologies to mitigate the effect of climate change on food production. 10. Improved road network will ease the movement of farm products from farm to sales points. 11. Insurance of agribusiness is essential to reduce shock suffered by farmers due to unfavourable conditions beyond them control due to unforeseen circumstances. 12. Introduction of Nutrition education in school curriculum highlighting the dangers of unhealthy food choices in order to inculcate the importance of taking nutritious food early and empower community members and school children to demand for healthy foods. 1. Read less

Group 1: Poor people are able to eat nutritious foods that will not make them sick Action required. • Farming should be for everyone. • Need for home gardens. • Review School Curricula at the primary and secondary school levels to include proper nutrition and developing interest in agriculture. • Integrated farming should be encouraged. • Mechanization of farm operations is key. • Construction/rehabilitation of access road to farms. • More extension agents, awareness creation on healthy feeding. Cross-Cutting • Improve linkage between research, extension services and farmers. �... Read more�� Climate change reduces food security. • Inadequate land for agriculture resulting to low production. • the security issues especially the menace of herds men to allow farmers go to their farms without fear of being kidnapped or killed. • Effect of use of chemicals in production on health of consumers Who should take the actions? • Government. Research Institutions. • Extension agents, Community members • Government and Government Agencies in-charge of land development • Government, intervention agencies, community members. • Government NGOs and Extension Agents Ways in which progress could be assessed a) Difference in the number of households in the Community engaged in farming before and after actions were taken. b) Agricultural yield differences before and after actions were taken. c) Number of farming households in the community involved in integrated farming. d) Hectarage of farm land cultivated. e) Number of farming households eating nutritious food. Read less

Group 2: How to shift to Healthy and sustainable consumption Pattern Action Required • Promoting high yielding varieties of crops and smart agricultural practices by strengthening linkages between research policy makers and farmers. • Awareness creation, advocacy, and education of rural populace on healthy and safe food consumption patterns. • Availability of Improved storage facilities. • Dry season production of safe and healthy foods to ensure all year-round availability. Action. Who should take the actions? • Research Institutions and Extension Agencies. • Public extension agen... Read morecies, NGO involved in nutrition. • Government and Research institutions. • Research Institutions, Extension Agencies and Intervention agencies interested in rural agricultural development. Ways in which progress could be assessed. • Increased productivity. • Number of rural people eating healthy and safe food. a) Decrease in postharvest losses evidenced by Percentage of agro-produce stored in the household with respect to total production. • Frequency of extension contacts with households engaged in farming in the community. Read less

Group 3: Optimizing Environmental Resource use in Food Production, Processing and Distribution, to Reduce biodiversity loss, Pollution, Water use, Soil Degradation and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Action required • Stoppage of bush burning and open grazing. • Addressing oil spillage. • Promoting the use of organic fertilizers as against the use of inorganic ones. • Convert waste to wealth through recycling. • Use of biological methods of pest control and food preservation. • . Discourage the use of chemical near fishponds. • Encourage the production of cover crops and making ridges a... Read morecross slopes to control erosion. Who should take the actions? • Farmers. Government • Government and NGO • Extension agents, Farmers • Extension agents Farmers • Extension Agent and Farmers • Extension agents Farmers Ways in which progress could be assessed • Reduced incidence of bush burning • Low incidence of oil spillage and increase in productivity in areas previously affected by oil spillage. • Improved incidence of waste management • Use of organic manure and low demand for inorganic Fertiliser. • Increased use of biological methods of pest control. • Low incidences health issues associated with chemically consumed food e.g. cancer. Read less

Group 4: Advancing Equitable Livelihoods in Nigeria to Eliminate Poverty Action Required • Financial empowerment of farmers. • improved road network. • Address security issues • Improved extension services. Who should take the actions? • Financial Institutions • Government and related Government agencies like FERMA • Government, Communities • Government and Private Extension agents. Ways of Assessing Progress • Increased scale of production due to availability of fund to purchase required inputs. • More food available in the urban areas. • Equitable distribution of agricu... Read moreltural inputs and products. • Reduction of poverty Read less

Group 5: Building the Resilience of Food Systems in Nigeria to withstand Vulnerabilities, Shocks and Stress. Actions Required • Good road network to improve transportation of farm produce from farm to market. • Provide farmers with information on climate change especially as it relates to rainfall and when it is best to commence planting. • Adopt climate smart and nutritionally responsive practices – e.g. use of drought and flood tolerant crop. • Encourage farmers to form associations or cooperatives and strengthening existing associations/cooperatives. • Provide insurance faciliti... Read morees Who should take the actions? • Government and related Government agencies like FERMA • Government related agencies such as NIMET • Public and private extension agencies • Farming households in the Community • Public extension agencies • Rural institutions in the community including farmers’ organisation, youth and women groups and faith-based organisations. • Public and private Insurance institutions Ways in which progress could be assessed • Level of awareness of the connection between food systems and the environment • Number of households adopting farming methods that can withstand adverse weather conditions. • Extent of crop diversity cultivation among farming households in the community. • Number of farmers taking insurance policy for their business. Read less

The top findings that emerged from the dialogue are;  Agricultural finance institutions inadequacies  Climate change leading to irregular rainfall pattern  Inadequate tractor for mechanization  Raw material for livestock feed are not readily available  Invasion of pest and diseases  Inadequate access to credit facilities  Inadequate of agricultural input  Public investments in the Agricultural sector are low, resulting in underdeveloped (rural) infrastructure (e.g. roads, storage facilities and processing facilities)  Low quality of education, and non-transparent mar... Read morekets with high transaction costs and  Land tenure system limiting new entry into commercial agriculture. There is a need for land reforms/proper implementation?  COVID-19 Pandemic  Herdsmen – Farmer Crises  Increased deforestation and loss of biodiversity  Inconsistent, uncoordinated, and inappropriate policies  Low technology for processing.  Gender inequality and weak integration of youth and women in agriculture  Planting pattern for rice and cassava have changed as a result of access to trainings on Good Agronomic Practices.  The use of fertilizer has improved yield but the shelf life of such produce has been reduced Read less

Group 1: Poor people are able to eat nutritious foods that will not make them sick Actions urgently needed Strand 1: Reducing hunger and inequality The group identified the following action areas as essential to achieve impact:  Government should create farm estate just as they do for housing estate to create access to land and other farm infrastructures.  Empowerment of Youth and Women to embrace agriculture  Improve access to Credit Facilities for Farmers, Processors an Marketers.  Provision of improved inputs and modern equipment to increase food production  Need to ensure th... Read moree Safety of farm produce and handling.  There should be constant dialogue and follow up action with security stakeholders The Government should address incessant farmers-herders conflict. Strand 2: Increasing availability and affordability of nutritious foods • Increase awareness creation on production of safe and nutritious foods. • Provision of storage facilities for farm produce • There should be a good market structure i.e linkage to Off-Takers and other existing markets • There should be a dialogue between transporters and farmers • Development of more bio-fortified crops varieties for farmers. • Implement comprehensive school food programmes in every community • Scaling-up food demonstration sessions • Expand the availability and consumption of biofortified crops • A partnership for investment in infrastructure for public procurement of nutritious food • Creation of nutritious food innovation hub for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) • Scale up nutrient-dense staples • Reintroduction of Agriculture in Schools by establishing Young Farmers Club • Scale sustainable cold chain technology • Scaling-up household processing methods that reduce food loss and waste • Increase the production and consumption of neglected indigenous foods Strand 3: Ensuring safe food • Continuous dialogue with Major Stakeholders in the food value chains • There should be waivers for transporters that convey food produce • Reduction in obnoxious food production and processing practices through enforcement of existing laws. • Make social protection programmes on food more nutrition-sensitive • Legislation on Food Safety Bill in the Parliament • Enablers for equitable food marketing • Provision of portable water, toilets and efficient waste management in markets and other public places. • Coordination for food environment policies for safe food • Assemble and launch a food safety toolkit for informal markets • Increased sensitization on proper food production and packaging • Regulation of street food vendors and restaurants • Regular quality assurance exercises by relevant Government agencies e.g NAFDAC, SON Cross-Cutting • Continuous training and orientation of food handlers • There should be systems and regulations in place to enforce safety precautions • Develop new standards and legal frameworks for the private sector • Public enlightenment on proper disposal of Agro-Chemical used in the food system as a way to prevent water and food poisoning and contamination. • Increased dialogue and interaction among the Stakeholders • Generation of credible and integrated database for detailed food systems information Who should take the actions? • All Stakeholders (Farmers, Marketers, Buyers/Final consumers, Government, Transporters and Security agencies) • All Stakeholders should share templates, tools and prototypes for strategies. • All Stakeholders should come up with a unified tagline for sustainable and healthy food systems. • Government should empower her regulating agencies. • Private sector should work with governments to get the policy right through Public-Private Partnership • Governments at all levels should implement food for public works program Ways in which progress could be assessed  Build new public-private partnerships that incentivise and enable precision agriculture companies to ensure access for low-income, smallholder farmers enabling them to improve production quantity and quality and increase incomes. • Availability of a communication system to educate the public about food and nutrition Read less

Group 2: Shift to Healthy and Sustainable Consumption Patterns Actions urgently needed  Ensuring hygiene while preparing food  Appropriate food preservation to avoid cross contamination  Encourage good relationship between buyers and sellers  Retailers should constantly covered food wares in the market  Ensure that food produce are well packaged to avoid contamination  There should be time table for food consumption in the household  The food vendors should have food plan for their buyers  Improve the provision of human services such as health care, environmental sanita... Read moretion, education, and community development  Regulation of Products so that food being produced would be safe for consumer consumption.  Create awareness and communicate with policy makers about food systems. Who should take the actions? All stakeholders should work together to Implement Action Plan for Food and Nutrition Ways in which progress could be assessed Formal and informal education of household on food nutrition and safety strategies. • Reduction in on-farm and post-harvest losses, especially for highly perishable food commodities • Number of school food programmes implemented. • Number of supportive agricultural policy frameworks made. • Number of intervention programs to change consumption pattern Read less

Group 3: Global Food System at Crossroads: Policy Landscape and Governance Factor for Boosting Nature Positive Production at Scale in Nigeria: The Right to Food Approach Actions urgently needed  Provision of more land for farming purpose by the Government.  Training on Safe use of Agro-chemicals.  Activities of miners should be checked as the most of the land in the area have their top soil being removed.  Promote enabling policies to address farmers and herdsmen clashes  Encourage crop rotation practices among the farmers  Policy framework on National Food and Nutrition  ... Read moreCampaign on the use of Organic Fertilizer because it reduces exposure to harmful chemicals, facilitates healthy soil formation, combats the effect of Global Warming etc Issues raised during discussion  Fallowing  Herders and Farmers Clashes  Activities of Miners on farmland Who should take the actions?  Government should address gaps in existing regulations and create friendly policies food chains. Ways in which progress could be assessed  Number of Training on modern farming techniques  Proportion of youth involved in Agriculture  Increase in the use of Organic fertilizer  Numbers of farmers that use quality inputs and modern implements  Integrated food policy and regulatory reforms to improve food environments Read less

Group 4: Advancing Equitable Livelihoods in Nigeria Actions urgently needed  Government Support  Mechanization  Provision of improved/high yield variety of seed  Making suitable land available and accessible to farmers  There must consistency in Government policies as it is related to Agriculture.  Empowerment of Youth through capacity training and financial support  Training on financial services  Provision of Storage facilities Who should take the actions? Government Ways in which progress could be assessed • Number of organisation along food system that are being s... Read moretrengthened • Increased in access to information and services about food system. • Proportion of youth in food and agricultural jobs. • Number of women that have access to credit, land, and technologies. Read less

Group 5: Building the Resilience of Food Systems in Nigeria to withstand Vulnerabilities, Shocks and Stresses Actions urgently needed for Improved Food availability for resilience  There must be a good relation between the producers, off-takers and marketers  Reduction of food price in the market  Reduction in the price of petroleum  Adoption of good hygiene for production and processing  Sustainable Land Management through scaling up climate smart agricultural practices, identification suitable crops for project sites and increasing land under Sustainable Land Management.  D... Read moreevelopment post-harvest and processing infrastructure e.g silos, warehouses, cottage processing facilities, cold chain logistics etc.  Establish value chain for food production, processing and distribution  Improve access to markets and finance for farmers  Development of Agribusiness supply chains  Establishment of Public-Private Partnerships for major food crops  Rural extension and capacity building for farmers through establishment of demonstration plots, Farmers Field Business School (FFBS), organising of field days and training of Agricultural extension officers on Sustainable agricultural practices  Construction/Rehabilitation of rural roads  Improvement on transport system as regards to Agricultural commodities Who should take the actions? • Government should invest more on research activities that can help in resilience • Collaboration between Researcher institutes and Extension Officers to promote resilience. • Regular Stakeholders meeting Ways in which progress could be assessed  Number of trees planted around the farm border  Adopting crop rotation practices  Provision of light land developing equipment  Use of Organic fertilizer  Provision of irrigation facilities  Subsidizing of farm inputs  Provision of credit facilities to the farmers  Provision of markets niche.  Legislation against illegal deforestation  Number of soil conservation projects implemented Read less