As part of efforts to implement the Food Safety for Africa (FS4A) project in Oyo State, Nigeria, IITA–CGIAR hosted representatives from Akinyele and Ibadan South-East local government areas on 19 November to formalize their partnership. This milestone agreement underscores IITA’s commitment to addressing food safety challenges, particularly in the informal sector, through grassroots-driven initiatives.
The FS4A project aims to transform food safety systems in Africa by improving local markets, enhancing food security, and fostering regional trade while minimizing negative impacts on the environment, biodiversity, health, and society. The project leverages its consortium’s expertise, networks, and tools to create sustainable solutions to these challenges.
Regarding the project’s objectives, Titilayo Falade, Aflasafe, Pathology Scientist and FS4A Project Coordinator, emphasized the collaboration’s focus on mitigating food safety risks within the informal sector.
“This partnership represents a shared vision and commitment to achieving a common goal – ensuring safer food practices and enhancing the well-being of grassroots communities,” she said.
Wole Akinleye, Executive Chairman of Akinyele LG, reflected on the insights gained from his engagement with the FS4A initiative. He noted the hazardous nature of informal market systems and their detrimental effects on food safety programs. To address these challenges, Mr. Akinleye underlined the need for intentional, grassroot-driven systems that raise awareness and promote food safety initiatives. He expressed gratitude to IITA for its dual approach of introducing improved crop varieties and educating stakeholders on essential food safety practices.
Honorable Emmanuel Alawode, Executive Chairman of Ibadan South-East LG, expressed his support by pledging his administration’s full support for the initiative. He affirmed readiness to collaborate on this transformative project to strengthen the local food system framework and safeguard public health.
The formalization of the partnership was marked by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by the three parties, including IITA, which IITA Head of Legal Services, Morenike Abu, facilitated. This MoU paves the way for the project’s implementation.
Reflecting on IITA’s mission, IITA Deputy Director General Partnerships for Delivery (DDG-P4D) Kenton Dashiell, , expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration.
“We are delighted to partner with you. This initiative holds great potential to serve as a model for extending similar projects to other local governments across Oyo State and Nigeria,” he said.
Dashiell encouraged the stakeholders to fully embrace the project, highlighting its role as a pioneer in advancing Nigeria’s nutritional safety.
This partnership represents a significant step in the fight to improve food safety systems across sub-Saharan Africa, with Oyo State positioned as a key player in driving transformative change from the grassroots.
Contributed by Anita Akinyomade
Related stories: http://www.iita.org/news-item/overcoming-food-safety-challenges-in-the-informal-sector/
http://www.iita.org/news-item/addressing-food-safety-challenges-through-collaborative-efforts/
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