By Adedapo Adesanya
Agriculture and food policies relating to nutrition in Africa will be the focus for the African Economic Research Consortium (AERC) during its next Senior Policy Seminar (SPS) taking place in Abuja, Nigeria from March 9-10, 2020 at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel.
The annual SPS brings together senior policy makers from sub-Saharan African countries together with economic researchers sharing knowledge and debate on urgent policy issues relating to sustainable development of African economies.
This year’s event will be hosted by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and is set to address agricultural growth patterns, the burden of malnutrition, diet diversities, climate smart agricultural practices, market access, food security and the effect of agriculture on health and nutrition in Africa.
The CBN Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, is slated to deliver the keynote address.
Since 2016, with support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, AERC has implemented a number of research activities under the Analysis of the Impact of Agricultural, Food and Nutrition Policies on Nutrition Outcomes in Africa (AFPON) programme.
This research is aimed at linking agricultural policies to various nutrition outcomes such as stunting, wasting, anaemia, child mortality, micronutrient deficiencies, obesity and malnutrition.
It also examines how gender access productive agricultural resources, such as land, affects the nutrition of individuals and households in sub-Saharan African countries; how agricultural productivity, agricultural extension and advisory services affect nutrition outcomes, and establishing the policies and practices that would best improve food security and nutritional status.
According to Mr Innocent Matshe, AERC’s Director of Training, the seminar is going to be highly impactful for all participants.
“The importance of agriculture and food policies towards positive nutrition outcomes for all Africans is vital to sustain and grow economies as we move into a new decade.
“With our unique approach of bringing topic-matter research experts in the field of agriculture and nutrition together with senior policy makers across the continent, we believe the discussions and debates will help countries across the region begin to implement policies to foster and support this sector, and to help policymakers learn from each other through shared knowledge around policy successes and failures,” Mr Matshe added.
The two-day seminar will feature four synthesis papers and a policy roundtable discussion featuring noted researchers and policy makers, globally and participants from high-level in government from the presidency, ministers, governors of central banks, heads of civil services, permanent secretaries and heads of government agencies and parastatals.
Dipo Olowookere