_BY UKET OKA, Calabar
As the global community marks the 2023 World Food Day, Cross River Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation development, Hon Johnson Ebokpo, has called on Cross Riverians to seek alternative means of fighting food insecurity.
Ebokpo made the call in his address at the event which took place at the Calabar Municipal Council premises, Calabar, the state capital, with the theme, “Water is life, water is food, leave no one behind.”
Ebokpo said this could be achieved through the exploitation of modern skills, systems and strategies as the citizenry return to agriculture.
“The ministry is here to raise awareness on the need to eat healthily, showcasing better approaches to preparing meals, as well as providing alternative means of fighting food insecurity through the exploitation of modern skills, systems and strategies as I urge you to return to agriculture.
“The focus of the day is that food is a basic and fundamental human right, yet in a world of billions, over 820 million people worldwide are suffering chronic malnutrition.
“60 percent women and almost five million children under the age of five, die of malnutrition relative causes everyday.
“While millions go hungry, 672 million people suffer from obesity and a further 1.3 billion are overweight, we can change this through our action and initiatives,” the Agriculture Commissioner said.
Ebokpo maintained that sustainable agriculture produces more nutritious food and keeps the ecosystems healthy, admitting that, an efficient use of fresh water that avoids unnecessary waste, makes it possible to irrigate fields and ensure the productivity and health of communities.
He listed some interventions by the present administration in the state to guarantee food security to include, Project Grow, cassava value chain development program, cocoa regeneration and development program, irrigation development program and cadre harmonize program.
Also speaking, the State Commissioner for Livestock, Aquaculture and Fisheries, Ntufam Emmanuel Anom, stressed the need for a continuous fish production that would provide fish protein, generate wealth and create employment in line with the people first mantra of the state governor, Prince Bassey Otu.
In her presentation on “water quality in food processing,” Prof Ima Williams of the Department of Human Nutrition, University of Calabar, recommended improved sanitation around food processing environment, simple water treatment methods where tap water is not available and involvement of relevant stakeholders to reduce waterborne diseases.
For Prof Mary Mgbekem of the Department of Nursing, UNICAL, who spoke on “impact of climate change on food production and availability,” “there is urgent need to create more climate resilient food systems and a healthier planet.”
Mgbekem also suggested as a way forward that government need to issue policies to improve food production and availability essential for a successful climate change.
Earlier, District Governor of Lions Club International, District 404, A2, Nigeria, Lion Charles Oqua Itu, advocated for the extension of hands of fellowship to the marginalized, those forgotten and left to suffer in silence, the most vulnerable, refugees displaced population as well as those affected by climate change.
