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Anambra State Government has restated its commitment towards sustaining intervention measures aimed at addressing issues surrounding food insecurity in the state.
Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Forster Ihejiofor stated this while hosting the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for Regional Food Science and Technology Summit (10th REFOSTS) under Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology (NIFST) in his office.
He said the Ministry would continue to sensitise people of the state on organic food safety practices targeted at de-emphasising on use of chemicals for preservation of food items.
He added that there was need for farmers,food processors and other stakeholders to shun use of chemicals to preserve food items in view of inherent health risks including cancers.
While calling for more partnership and collaborations with relevant authorities to address the problem associated with food insecurity, the Commissioner described such partnership as key in the fight against unwholesome food preservation practices.
The Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mrs Ifeyinwa Uzoka emphasized the need to step up advocacy to encourage organic methods of food items preservation rather than use of chemicals which tend to affect human health adversely.
Leader of the Delegation and LOC Chairman of the Event, Prof James Obiegbuna said they considered it worthy to invite and brief Mr Commissioner about their upcoming event.
He explained that the summit would discuss food security and some practices that could help to ensure food safety.
He announced that the event is slated to hold on Friday, 7th June, 2024 at Ekwueme Centre for Multidisciplinary Research, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, with the theme, “Sustainable Food and Nutrition Security in Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects”
“The sub themes are “Green Technologies in Food Processing for Sustainable Food Security” as well as “Improving Nutritional Security of Processed Foods”
“We are going to talk about our indigenous food which is the prime something we must hold.Our Fore Fathers were dealing on indigenous food and they were staying longer.
“These days we are dealing on junks which are detrimental to heath” Prof Obiegbuna said.
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