Vice-President Kashim Shettima says Nigeria is deploying Artificial Intelligence, AI, and other modern technologies to monitor food production, enhance transparency, connect producers to markets, and reduce waste across the agricultural value chain.
Mr Shettima said this at the opening Session of the United Nations Food Systems Summit Stocktake (UNFSS+4), in Addis Ababa, on Monday.
The summit will build on the momentum of the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit and the first Stocktake in 2023 (UNFSS+2), focusing on accelerating sustainable, inclusive, and resilient food systems transformation. He added: “We are here to champion food systems that are resilient in the face of climate shocks, responsive to nutritional needs, and rooted in local realities.
”We are here because we believe that the arc of history does not only bend towards justice. It bends towards food justice.
”Let us leave Addis Ababa not with diplomatic pleasantries but with a conviction.
“A broken food system in any part of the world diminishes the dignity of humanity as a whole.
” Let us rise with a shared purpose. Let us build a world where no child sleeps on an empty stomach, where no farmer is forgotten, and where food is not a luxury but a human right.”
The Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Dr Abiy Ahmed, said the event was a moment to take stock and to renew shared commitment to building food system that are resilient, inclusive and justice.
Mr Ahmed said that Africa nee8ds predictable concession finance to invest in agriculture, rural transformation, infrastructure and literary.
He stated that climate finance must be aligned with food system ‘ because hunger and environmental degradation are deeply linked.
According to him, since the first food system summit in 2021, Ethiopia has launched a comprehensive roadmap for food system transformation.
He added, ” Four years ago, we came together to pursue a bold vision food systems that are sustainable, equitable and resilient.
“But it is not only about agriculture, it shapes our health, our economy, our environment and our futur.
” Today we reflects on the progress made and recommit to urgent coordinated action.
” Globally, food systems are facing immense pressure from planning stock, shocks conflicts, inequalities and economic destruction.
” At same time development assistance is declined in multilateral cooperation.”
According to Mr Ahmed, these challenges ahead threatened production, supply and dignity in the subregion nations.
He added, ” Yet in this context the human spirit and out share resolve to act remains strong.
“In Ethiopia we have made a deliberate choice to act boldly, to think holistically and to place human dignity at the centre of our food system transformation.
” We are investing in local production, reducing dependency on imports and building a resilience system that serves our people and our future.”
The Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, who spoke in a recorded video, said that food systems were about more than food, adding, “they include climate, justice and the right to a better future.
”Since the last food summit we have seen progress.
“We committed to food system that are inclusive, sustainable, equitable, resilient and built on human rights but progress is not is fair enough.
” Global hunger is rising, threat, shocks are pushing prices of food.
” The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the African continent is not just a crisis of scarcity, it is a crisis of justice, equity and climate.”
According to the UN scribe, climate change is destroying harvests, supply chains and humanitarian response, ” he said
Others who spoke were the Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni, Kenyan President and William Ruto, among other Heads of State and representatives from multilateral organisations.
NAN
Daily Nigerian
