The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in Edo on Monday, in Benin City, held a Food Exhibition to commemorate the World Food Day.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that World Food Day is celebrated annually on Oct. 16 to promote global awareness and action for those who suffer from hunger, and to highlight the need to ensure healthy diets for all.
The theme of this year’s celebration is, “Water is Life, Water is Food, Leave No One Behind.’’
Farmers from the 18 local government areas of the state converged on the premises of the state Ministry of Agriculture to display their farm produce.
The exhibition had in attendance farmers from diverse food value chains such as plantain, yam, rice, cocoa, garri, oil palm, pineapple, poultry products, fish and honey, coconut among others.
Declaring the event opened, the state Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Stephen Idehenre, said the theme stressed the critical role water played in agriculture
Idehenre said that water an as an agricultural engine that could be ignored.
“The sole aim of this event is to create platform for raising awareness about food security and sustainable agricultural practices, share insights and explore innovative solution to combat hunger and malnutrition.
“The theme of this year reminds us that water is an important tool for life and its significance particularly in the realm of agriculture, acting as an agricultural engine that cannot be ignored.
“It is our responsibility to conserve and protect our water resources by adopting innovative farming techniques to help minimise water wastage and invest more in watershed restoration and preservation,” he said.
He, however, called on all stakeholders to join hands with government to address water challenges to guarantee food security so that nobody would be left behind.
According to him, access to clean water is not only essential for survival but also plays a vital role in ensuring food security for all. (NAN)