‘All Homes, A Garden’ Initiative Targets Fresh, Nutritious Food for Families
The Oyo State Government and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have expressed readiness to strengthen collaboration on food and nutrition security through the promotion of the “All Homes, A Garden” initiative across the state.
The initiative encourages households to cultivate vegetables and food crops in their backyards to improve access to fresh, nutritious and locally produced food, particularly for children and women.
Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Olasunkanmi Olaleye, disclosed this when he received UNICEF Chief of Child Nutrition and Development, Mrs Nemat Hajeebhey, who led a delegation on a courtesy visit to the ministry in Ibadan.
Olaleye said household gardens would provide families with fresh food alternatives while complementing government efforts to improve food security and nutrition.
He said the Oyo State Government had invested significantly in agriculture, noting that about 39,000 acres of farmland had been ploughed under its 50 per cent tractorisation subsidy programme, with the government covering half of land preparation costs for beneficiaries.
The commissioner called for deeper collaboration with UNICEF in areas including household food production, nutrition and support for vulnerable groups.
Hajeebhey said the visit was aimed at strengthening Oyo’s food and nutrition system to promote the healthy growth and development of children and women, particularly pregnant women.
She acknowledged the ministry’s contribution to food and nutrition security and stressed the importance of collaboration among government institutions and development partners.
The Coordinating Director of the ministry, Dr Olaide Azeez, also reaffirmed the ministry’s readiness to support initiatives aimed at improving food and nutrition outcomes across the state.