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Nigeria’s agriculture sector is the most vibrant non-oil sector contributing significantly to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and economy. However, Nigeria still remains largely food insecure as shown in the 2019 Global Food Security Index which places Nigeria 96th out of 113 countries examined.
To meet the demands posed by the food security threat highlighted above, HEDA has identified key thematic areas in which our strength and capabilities allow us to make changes. They include;
Policies provide guidelines for governance and enables the public to measure the achievements of governments. Ending poverty and hunger can only be achieved when the policy environment addresses the factors that cause the problem. HEDA therefore advocates that the government at all levels must uphold the Maputo declaration by ensuring that 10% of the yearly budget is allocated to agriculture. Furthermore, the government should make policies that benefit small scale farmers especially women and youth. Policies that ensure a climate resilient agricultural system must be made and implemented.
Increasing citizens awareness is critical to solving the problems our campaign targets; this is because when citizens take ownership of the issue, they can mount the necessary pressure needed to force the government to act favourably. On the other hand, the farmers need to be educated on how to engage government and private sector stakeholders in order to attain food security and better livelihoods. The farmers are also educated on best farming practices and the business of farming i.e agropreneurship.
HEDA organises activities that aim to enhance the livelihoods of farmers through resource and market support. An example is the Ire Akrai Fish Feed Mill which provided a semi-automated feed mill for the fish farmers in the Abute Afuye community of Epe, Lagos. We also increase the capacity of the farmers in order to improve their productivity and hence increase their income through trainings and resource support.
HEDA works as a mediator between the private sector and farmers to ensure a mutually beneficial relationship is developed. We ensure that farmers and private sectors comes to an agreement that will benefit the both parties for the betterment and growth of one another
Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resources Centre) is a non-governmental organisation and non-partisan human rights and development league.