Governments of 44 countries and business organisations, at the weekend, joined farmers and local communities in securing new agreements to protect nature and accelerate the shift to sustainable agriculture and land-use practices across the nations.
This was contained in a statement issued on Monday by Ndidiamaka Eze, Press & Public Affairs Officer, Comms Lead, Prosperity and Economic Development, Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office
The members of the Commonwealth stated that the move was to make agriculture more attractive, accessible and affordable than unsustainable alternatives.
Nigeria was represented by the Honourable Minister of State for the Environment, Ms Sharon Ikeazor, and the Honourable Minister of Agriculture and rural development, Dr Mahmood Abubakar.
About twenty-six nations set out new commitments to change their agricultural policies to become more sustainable and less polluting and to invest in the science needed for sustainable agriculture.
They also agreed on protecting food supplies against climate change, laid out in two ‘Action Agendas’.
All continents were represented including Nigeria, India, Colombia, Vietnam, Germany, Ghana, Australia and others.
The United Kingdom also announced funding of £500m to support the implementation of the Forest, Agriculture and Commodity Trade (FACT) Roadmap that was launched during the World Leaders Summit earlier this week.
The statement said about 28 countries, including Nigeria, are working together to protect forests while promoting development and trade. A further £65 million will support a ‘Just Rural Transition’ to help developing countries shift policies and practices to more sustainable agriculture and food production.
