The Oyo State Government and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have expressed their readiness to strengthen collaboration on food and nutrition security through the promotion of the “All Homes, A Garden” initiative across the state.
The initiative is aimed at encouraging households to cultivate food crops and vegetables in their backyards to improve access to fresh, nutritious, and locally produced food, particularly for children and women.
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Barrister Olasunkanmi Olaleye, stated this while receiving the Chief Child Nutrition and Development, UNICEF, Mrs. Nemat Hajeebhey, who led a team from the organisation on a courtesy visit to the Ministry in Ibadan.
Olaleye said the “All Homes, A Garden” initiative would encourage families to cultivate gardens within their homes, noting that food produced locally would provide households with fresh and nutritious alternatives to processed foods.
He stressed that improved household food production would complement the government’s efforts towards achieving food security and improving the nutritional well-being of the people.
The Commissioner said the present administration in Oyo State, under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde, had invested significantly in the agricultural sector, adding that the food security being experienced in the state and neighbouring states was supported by the government’s huge investment in agriculture.
He disclosed that under the government’s 50 per cent tractorisation subsidy programme, about 39,000 acres of farmland had been ploughed across the state, with the government bearing 50 percent of the cost of land preparation for beneficiaries.
According to him, the investment was part of the administration’s deliberate efforts to expand agricultural production, support farmers, and strengthen the state’s food system.
Olaleye therefore called for deeper collaboration between UNICEF and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, particularly in areas that would improve household food production, nutrition, and the well-being of vulnerable groups.
Speaking on the reason for the visit, the Chief Child Nutrition and Development, UNICEF, Mrs. Nemat Hajeebhey, said the engagement was aimed at strengthening the food and nutrition system in Oyo State to promote the healthy growth and development of children and women, particularly pregnant women.
She acknowledged the efforts of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development towards improving food and nutrition security in the state, noting that the Ministry’s contribution to addressing nutrition-related challenges could not be underestimated.
According to her, strengthening collaboration among relevant stakeholders remained critical to ensuring that children and women have access to adequate, safe and nutritious food.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Coordinating Director, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Olaide Azeez, welcomed the UNICEF delegation to the Ministry and expressed the Ministry’s readiness to support initiatives aimed at improving food and nutrition outcomes in the state.
She noted that agriculture remained central to addressing food and nutrition challenges, stressing the importance of collaboration among relevant government institutions and development partners.
Part of the team that accompanied Mrs. Nemat Hajeebhey on the visit were the Data Officer, UNICEF, Mr. Bolu Ogunjimi; the Permanent Secretary, Career Management Services, Office of the Head of Service, Oyo State, Mr. Lateef Osungbekun; and the Director of Nutrition, Ministry of Health, Oyo State, Dr. Alarape, among others.
Packaged by Temitayo Afolabi
