Agriculture pollution threat to food security, aquatic life – Food safety advisor
A Senior Advisor on Food Security and Nutrition, Dr. Adeyinka Onabolu, has identified the environmental impact of food production as the largest factor threatening biodiversity, with one-third of fish stocks overexploited.
The food safety advisor, who works with the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), said this at a two-day nutrition reporting training for journalists held in Abuja.
Dr. Onabolu said 78 per cent of ocean and freshwater nutrient-rich pollution was from agriculture, noting that laws must be quickly enacted to protect the aquatic food system.
According to her, aquaculture could contribute to improved food security and nutrition through increased availability of low-cost fish for local food supplies, and improved employment opportunities and incomes.
Dr. Onabolu said research had shown that micronutrient deficiencies lead to one million premature deaths annually, while dietary inadequacies were a factor for morbidity and mortality.
“Aquatic foods have very considerable potential in helping to fill these nutrient gaps and improve diet quality,” she added.
According to her, the food system encompasses all the interactions between people and the natural world – land, water, climate; and the natural world’s effects on human health and nutrition.
She said, “A food system is sustainable when it provides sufficient nutritious food for all without compromising the health of the planet or the ability of future generations to meet their own food and nutritional needs.”
Dr. Onabolu noted that the food system has environmental, economic and social impacts, adding that transforming the food system requires improved institutions, infrastructure, regulations and markets.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that data from GAIN showed that malnutrition trends in Nigeria over recent years showed a worrying lack of progress.
The malnutrition statistics showed severe nutritional gaps in the first 1000 days of a child’s life and continuing through to early childhood.
It also indicated that widespread undernutrition, overweight and obesity are on the increase, especially among adults in urban areas.
The data showed that consumption of nutritious animal-source foods such as fish remained static, consumption of vegetables and pulses had declined by seven per cent, while consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages increased by 39 per cent.
NAN reports that the media training was organised by GAIN, Nigeria Health Watch and the Federal Ministry of Information, with about 30 journalists from various media platforms in attendance.
(NAN)
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