Agriculture in the achievement of global goals in Nigeria

These are the 17 global goals for sustainable development. We have a role to play to achieve this. Have you found your part?
My attention is drawn to the first three goals and a couple of others and the role Agriculture plays in it.

While at Cornell, I attended the course "Food policies in developing countries" with Prof Prabhu Pingali. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute spent in that class. Without sustainable agriculture, there is no food security. Then what is food security?

According to FAO, "Food security is a situation that exists when all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life”

Reflecting on this definition, we still have a long way to go. We need to bridge these gaps. Need for more farmers, need for nutritionists, need for inputs, need for storage systems, need for processors, need for food markets that are accessible and affordable, need for policies, need for enlightenment, need for support to enhance productivity etc.

It is time we start to advocate for better conditions that will enhance agriculture. Its a huge sector that if harnessed and supported will change our way of life directly or indirectly for better. Its value chain has the highest potential to create jobs and most importantly the rural people and those living in poor areas will be most advantaged.

The good news is that there is a new consciousness to the potential of agriculture in Nigeria. The land is green!