By Gabriel Ewepu

ABUJA – IN a quest to boost food and nutrition security, the Federal Government, has intensified efforts on coordinated and sustainable approaches to combat and prevent invasion by pests and diseases in the food systems.

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Dr Marcus Ogunbiyi in an opening remarks recently at the ‘Experts Workshop on the Review and Validation of the National Integrated Pest and Plant Diseases Management Strategy for the Control of Transboundary and Migratory Agricultural Pests’, held in Abuja, said experts are to synergize and be proactive to prevent invasion of pests into the nation’s agricultural space.

Ogunbiyi noted that the workshop has come at the right, therefore, acknowledged and commended the participants for their steadfast commitment to building a resilient and productive agricultural sector.

He also described the workshop as a “significant step” by a collective efforts to strengthen national mechanisms for “safeguarding agricultural productivity” and ensuring food security in the face of evolving pest and disease challenges.

Meanwhile, he commended the Food and Agriculture Organization, FAO, for their continued technical support and for standing with Nigeria in her shared mission to achieve a pest-resilient agricultural sector.

Transboundary and migratory pests – locusts, quelea birds, armyworms, and several invasive plant diseases over the years had continue to pose serious threats to food security, rural livelihoods, and national economy, which had become more frequent and severe due to climate variability, increased movement of goods and persons, and ecological changes, therefore, the need for the government to strengthen its preparedness, surveillance, rapid response, and coordinated management approaches.

He said: “Agriculture remains the backbone of our national economy, supporting millions of livelihoods, ensuring food security, and driving industrial growth and exports.

“However, the sector faces significant challenges from recurring emerging and re-emerging pest and disease outbreaks, many of which are transboundary and migratory.

“Recent invasions by pests such as the Fall Armyworm, Ginger blight, Tuta absoluta, Quelea birds and other invasive species have caused substantial crop losses, reduced productivity, and severe economic setbacks, particularly for smallholder farmers.

“The impacts of these pest and disease outbreaks reach far beyond the farms, undermining food and nutrition security, threatening livelihoods, and in some instances posing risks to national stability.

“Effectively addressing these complex challenges demands a coordinated, science-based, and sustainable approach which is precisely the objective of the National Integrated Pest and Plant Diseases Management Strategy.

“This Strategy offers a comprehensive approach to pest prevention, early detection, rapid response, and sustainable management, built on the principles of Integrated Pest Management (IPM).

‘Blending biological, cultural, mechanical, and chemical methods while protecting human health, beneficial organisms, and the environment.

“Emerging pests, resistant pathogens, climate-driven pest migrations, and changing farming systems demand that our strategies remain dynamic and adaptive.

“It is for this reason that we are gathered today: to review, validate and strengthen this national Strategy, ensuring it meets both current and future pest management challenges effectively.”

However, he appealed to the participants to ensure they use their expertise, field experience, and insights to ensure that this Strategy is not just only scientific but also “practical and implementable” as “recommendations that will enhance its effectiveness and impact, align with regional and international frameworks for pest surveillance and control.”

He also assured the Ministry’s commitment “to providing the necessary institutional support, strengthening extension services, building farmers’ capacity, and ensuring adequate resources for pest monitoring, early warning rapid response systems to safeguard plant health.”

Earlier, the Director, Plant Health and Pest Control Services, Department, Dr Grace Iwendi, in her address of welcome, explained that, “This workshop therefore provides us with a strategic platform to harmonize expert knowledge, field experience, global best practices, and national priorities, as we work collectively to refine and validate a robust Integrated Pest and Plant Diseases Management Strategy for the country.

“Our goal is clear: To develop a dynamic, science-driven, and actionable national strategy that enhances our capacity to prevent, detect, control, and manage transboundary and migratory pests and diseases in a timely and coordinated manner.”