Food policy research institute: FG needs early warning system before crisis hits

The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) has released a report on the 2023 global food policy.

IFPRI also launched the new consultative group for international agricultural research (CGIAR) initiative on fragility, conflict, and migration (FCM).

CGIAR is a global partnership that unites international organisations engaged in research about food security aimed at reducing rural poverty, increasing food security, improving human health and nutrition as well as sustainable management of natural resources.

The IFPRI 2023 global food policy report titled: ‘Rethinking Food Crisis Responses’  provides support for effective policies and programming to enhance food, land, and water system resilience in fragile and conflict-affected countries, as well as those facing migration-related challenges.

The report focused on crisis prediction and preparation, building resilience, and crisis response that are supportive and inclusive of women, forced migrants, and other vulnerable groups.

Speaking at the presentation of the report on Thursday in Abuja, Katrina Kosec, senior research fellow at IFPRI, said the federal government must be proactive in tackling the nation’s food crises.

Kosec said improving international and national responses to food crises cannot be achieved without accountable governance and effective policies and institutions being put in place.

“I think having a critical social protection system in which people that are facing challenges have sources of support from their government to help them graduate from poverty is necessary,” Kosec said.

“It is also important for governments to listen to the needs of their citizens, it is critical to ensure that the voices among those citizens include women and other vulnerable groups.

“We additionally, need very good systems that provide early warnings when crises are going to hit and ensuring that those systems are connected with actions, and planned actions are essential.”

Also speaking, Muhammad Abubakar, minister of agriculture, said the report “touches” what the humanitarian ministries do, adding that the partnership with IFPRI would be consolidated.

“Recognising the positive and effective efforts of IFPRI and CGIAR, this report touches on the central focus of the ministry of humanitarian affairs, ” Umar Bindir, who represented Abubakar said.

“What we do, what this report presents, and all the research approaches given here is a manuals for us, and I encourage the researchers to keep working closely with the ministry. I hope this is the beginning of a more consolidated partnership. With these efforts, we can do better.” 

Stakeholders who spoke at the event included Kenneth Dunn, the deputy director, office of economic growth and environment, USAID Nigeria; Serena Mithbaokar, head of research, assessments, monitoring & evaluation, WFP Nigeria; and the ministry of humanitarian affairs.