Achieving food security and sustainability in a post-COVID-19 era was the thrust of the discussions at the 2021 Regional Food summit, organised by the National Institute of Food Science and Technology, NIFST.
Speaking at the event, the National President, NIFST, Maduebibisi Iwe, said all hands must be on deck to restore food production and the supply chain which was disrupted by the pandemic.
Every year, NIFST organises a national conference and regional food summit, bringing experts and scientists together to discuss and brainstorm on issues related to the profession, food processing, and food security.
However, the 2021 summit brought to the front burner the challenges of Covid-19 on food production.
For Veronica Eze, the Chairman NIFST, FCT Chapter, the worst effects of the pandemic are yet to come, as the impact resulted from high food prices is putting food out the reach of many, undermining the right to food, and stalling efforts to meet sustainable development goals SDGs.
Other participants believed that collaboration of relevant stakeholders will fast track food sufficiency.
The event which also marked the NIFST day is with the theme Repositioning the Nigerian Food System for Wealth and Job Creation in a post-Covid-19 era.