An international NGO Known as Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), Yesterday called for effective water management to boost food production, food security and nutrition in Nigeria.
The Country Director, GAIN, Mr Micheal Ojo, made the appeal while addressing Journalists in Abuja in commemoration of the 2023 World Food Day, themed: “Water is Life, Water is Food. Leave No One Behind”.
Ojo hinted that water availability was being threatened by urbanization, poor management, pollution and climate change, underscoring the need for water management to ensure food security, and by extension nutrition.
“With Food Systems activities accounting for about 72 per cent of global freshwater withdrawals, which is required for crop cultivation, animal husbandry and food production.
“It has become extremely important to manage and reduce water use by agriculture, food and other land uses (AFOLU).
“There is need for increased public awareness on the necessity for water management in a world where water availability is being threatened by urbanization, poor management, pollution and climate change.
“We believe that access to clean water is not only essential for survival but also plays a vital role in ensuring food security and better diets for all,” he asserted.
Ojo said GAIN has promoted adoption of sustainable agricultural practices, reduce the impact of these pressures on the integrated systems of land, soil and water which are being strained to their limits in the country.
“One of the biggest challenges we face today is increasing food production to meet the needs of an increasing population while using less water, so it is critical to improve the productivity, efficiency and environmental impact of how we use water in our food system,” he asserted.
