ANAMBRA STATE MINISTRY OF BUDGET AND ECONOMIC PLANNING UNVEILING OF THE STATE FOOD AND NUTRITION POLICY

ANAMBRA STATE MINISTRY OF BUDGET AND ECONOMIC PLANNING WORKSHOP ON THE ADOPTION OF THE NATIONAL POLICY ON FOOD AND NUTRITION AND UNVEILING OF THE ANAMBRA STATE POLICY ON FOOD AND NUTRITION

Introduction

The Anambra State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, in collaboration with Ministry of Health and United Nations International for Children’s emergency fund (UNICEF) recently convened a high-level workshop focused on the adoption of the National Policy on Food and Nutrition and the development of a tailored Anambra State Policy on Food and Nutrition. The event took place as part of the state’s strategic efforts to combat malnutrition, improve food security, and promote sustainable nutrition-sensitive development.

The key objectives of the workshop were to:

1.    Sensitize stakeholders on the provisions and strategic objectives of the National Policy on Food and Nutrition (NPFN).

2.    Facilitate the domestication and adaptation of the national policy to fit the unique socio-economic and nutritional context of Anambra State.

3.    Build consensus on the development of a comprehensive Anambra State Policy on Food and Nutrition.

4.    Strengthen multi-sectoral coordination and collaboration among government MDAs, civil society organizations, donors, private sector, and community-based groups.

Workshop Highlights

• Presentation of the National Policy on Food and Nutrition (2021–2025): A comprehensive overview of the policy was delivered, highlighting key strategic objectives, implementation frameworks, and monitoring mechanisms.
• Technical Sessions and Group Work: Participants engaged in group discussions to review the current food and nutrition situation in Anambra, identify gaps, and propose actionable inputs for the state policy framework.
• Stakeholder Mapping and Roles Definition: Sessions were held to identify relevant actors and clarify their roles and responsibilities in policy implementation.
• Development Roadmap: A clear roadmap was drafted for the formulation and validation of the Anambra State Food and Nutrition Policy, including timelines, technical support needs, and monitoring strategies.

Key Outcomes

1. In-Principle Adoption of the National Policy: Stakeholders unanimously agreed to adopt the National Policy on Food and Nutrition as a guiding framework for state-level planning and implementation.
2. Formation of a Drafting Committee: A multi-sectoral technical working group was established to begin drafting the Anambra State Policy on Food and Nutrition, incorporating inputs from the workshop.
3. Commitment from Stakeholders: Strong political will and commitment were demonstrated by government officials and partners to support the domestication process.
4. Next Steps: The committee agreed on timelines for consultations, drafting, validation, and eventual launch of the state policy.

The Anambra State Workshop marked a significant step forward in the fight against malnutrition and food insecurity in the state. By aligning with the national policy and developing a localized framework, Anambra is poised to take a leadership role in improving nutrition outcomes across the South East. The inclusive and participatory nature of the workshop ensured buy-in from key stakeholders, laying a strong foundation for sustainable implementation.