Adebayo Adenrele
The Federal Government of Nigeria through the Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit (PFSCU) has kicked off ‘The People’s Caravan’ initiative in Ekiti State in a bid to strengthen the state’s food security and boost agricultural sector.
Speaking with journalists, President Bola Tinubu’s Technical Assistant on Agriculture and PFSCU’s Director, Marion Moon stated that the purpose of the initiative is to engage different communities across Ekiti in effective dialogue to ascertain suitable policy that align with their agricultural needs.
She noted that the program is designed to involve local farmers in decision making processes that would maximise profits for them and strengthen the Agricultural sector across the country.
This, according to her made the Unit to present the Insurance Policy for the National Agribusiness Planning Mechanism (NAPM) to the Ekiti State Government, so that the farmers are fully involved in the design, implementation and planning processes.
Her words, “The caravan is here to go around the different communities to begin to engage in dialogue so that we can curate these programs and bring them to the grassroots level in a way that means something. Many times, programs are designed without the input of the people who are supposed to use them. It is important that their voices and opinions are part of the creation process.
“For instance, we have heard that Ekiti is very good with yam. There is no point in bringing in something that does not thrive in Ekiti State, or that people don’t know what to do with.
“The caravan is therefore an opportunity for Ekiti State to tell us what is working and what is not, so that programs from the federal, state, and even local levels are united in one vision and owned by the people.
“This is why it is important that the grassroots are fully involved in the design, implementation and planning processes”.
The Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji hailed President Bola Tinubu for his relentless efforts in grassroot movements for food security and socio-economic development across Nigeria.
Oyebanji noted that the food system programme is in alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President, which is a movement to drive formidable and unifying change in food systems.
The Governor said his administration is steadfast in aligning with the agricultural policy of the Federal Government, aimed at fostering dialogue, building partnerships and unifying collective efforts to strengthen Nigerian food systems.
The State’s helsman assured the residents of the state that the program will showcase the nitty-gritty of food production, including innovative methods of processing, preparation and making nutritious and affordable delicacies accessible to families.
