50x2030 initiative: Stakeholders rally to boost food security

In a concerted effort to bolster food security and foster evidence-informed decision-making in Nigeria’s agricultural sector, stakeholders have launched the 50x2030 survey initiative in Abuja.

The 50x2030 Initiative is a multiagency partnership that seeks to transform data systems in 50 countries by 2030.

Spearheaded by the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project in collaboration with the World Bank, the initiative aims to bridge agricultural data gaps and promote sustainable agricultural practices.

The Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Lawal, at the launch, highlighted the significance of the 50x2030 initiative in meeting the country’s data needs and fostering a culture of data-driven decisionmaking.

He emphasised the importance of collaboration between various ministries, including Environment, Agriculture, and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), in designing and implementing climate and agriculture-focused survey programs across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Abdulhamid Umar, the National Project Coordinator of the ACReSAL Project, underscored the initiative’s role in enhancing the capacity of nations to gather reliable agricultural data, thereby ensuring food security.

Vinay Vutukuru, representing the World Bank, emphasised the project’s aim to address agricultural data gaps and build robust national data systems.

He reiterated the commitment of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) to support Nigeria in building capacity for sustainable agricultural statistics production.

Mr Koffy Kouacou Dominque, the FAO Representative in Nigeria and to ECOWAS, stressed the importance of collaboration between FAO, the World Bank, NBS, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to ensure the sustainability of the initiative. He outlined FAO’s commitment to providing technical assistance and capacity-building support over the next five years.

Sen. Aliyu Abdullahi, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, emphasised the initiative’s potential to unlock the agriculture sector’s potentials and drive economic growth. He highlighted the critical role of data-smart agriculture in achieving food security in Nigeria.

Dr Joy Iganya Agene, the Task Team Leader for the ACReSAL Project and Senior Environmental Specialist at the World Bank, reiterated the initiative’s commitment to producing regular, high-quality agricultural data for policy development. She emphasised its potential to transform Nigeria’s agricultural data system and increase food security and livelihoods.

“The launch of the 50x2030 survey initiative marks a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s journey towards sustainable agriculture and food security,” she said.