1 min
We have started a new year, with many expectations toward achieving food security. These expectations cannot be achieved without a concrete plan; with feasible strategies and resources. However, resource constraints are a challenge, political willingness at the policy level is a big threat and collaboration amongst the various key stakeholders has its own bottleneck.
Therefore, we need to define clear goals and expectations that incorporate the interests of the various key value chain actors in the sector. We also need these goals or expectations to align to the end goal of achieving food security. In addition, we need to strengthen our food system, especially our storage infrastructure and distribution channels, which have adversely contributed to our food insecurity. At the farm level, we lack storage infrastructure that could help prolong the shelf life of agricultural produce. We lose enormous quantities of food to post harvest losses due to poor storage facilities. In the same vein, our distribution channels are limited and inefficient, with several bottlenecks. These key issues need to be addressed accordingly.
Furthermore, policies reviews, implementation and accountability should be a key goal to be achieved. Generally, when policies fail, it comes with a huge cost that most times is borne by other stakeholders except the government. This has contributed to the low-trust environment created in the sector. There is little or no accountability from the government when their policies fail or don't live up to expectations; no consequences and no costs to bear. This has to change. We need to build an accountability system where the government can be held accountable for their policies; either successful or failed policies. This would increase the trust level between the government and other stakeholders.
In conclusion, the food system can better serve us when we put the appropriate measures to make it more seamless. Therefore, let us be intentional about solving our key challenges waging war towards achieving food security. We need to work together as a team that believes that agriculture is our greatest asset for shared prosperity. Today is the best time to collaborate!
Yours-in-Service
Babatunde
Furthermore, policies reviews, implementation and accountability should be a key goal to be achieved. Generally, when policies fail, it comes with a huge cost that most times is borne by other stakeholders except the government. This has contributed to the low-trust environment created in the sector. There is little or no accountability from the government when their policies fail or don't live up to expectations; no consequences and no costs to bear. This has to change. We need to build an accountability system where the government can be held accountable for their policies; either successful or failed policies. This would increase the trust level between the government and other stakeholders.
In conclusion, the food system can better serve us when we put the appropriate measures to make it more seamless. Therefore, let us be intentional about solving our key challenges waging war towards achieving food security. We need to work together as a team that believes that agriculture is our greatest asset for shared prosperity. Today is the best time to collaborate!
Yours-in-Service
Babatunde
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