Nigeria faces a considerable problem of food loss and waste, with an estimated 40% of all food produced going to waste. This is a significant loss considering the high levels of poverty and food insecurity in the country with over 130 million people living below the poverty line. Many vulnerable households struggle to access adequate and nutritious food, leading to malnutrition and adverse health outcomes, particularly among women and children.
The Agricultural Recovery Program (ARP) is a program focused on addressing food loss at production level through the rescue of surplus agricultural produce which will be distributed to vulnerable households while also reducing the environmental consequences of food loss and waste and its impact on climate change.
Program Goal:
In alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals 2 (Zero Hunger), 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), the program is set to reduce food loss and waste, address food insecurity in vulnerable communities, promote sustainable practices, and foster collaborations to achieve these global development goals.
Objectives:
- To increase access to healthy, local food for food-insecure individuals and families through the food banks nutrition programs.
- To curb post harvest losses which occur at the food supply chain from harvesting of crops until its consumption.
- To improve nutritional status of food insecure individuals with access to fresh fruits and vegetables.
- To ensure equitable distribution of collected surplus food to reach the most underserved communities and individuals.
- To contribute to long-term food security by establishing a reliable and sustainable supply chain for surplus agricultural produce.
- To reduce the impact of climate change by promoting sustainable consumption and production practices.
- To raise awareness about the environmental consequences of food loss and waste and its impact on climate change, resource depletion and biodiversity loss.
Implementation Process:
Surplus agricultural produce will be rescued from farms, food markets, supermarkets, seaports and airports which will be sorted, stored and distributed through the nutrition focused programs of the food bank to its beneficiaries.
Target Beneficiaries:
- Malnourished children and pregnant women.
- Low Cost School children.
- Seniors (Persons aged from 50 and above).
- The disabled/destitute.
- Patients of diet related diseases.
- Extremely indigent families.
Partner To Rescue Surplus Agricultural Produce: