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54 million toddlers in Africa go hungry

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Niamey – Nearly 54 million children under the age of five living in Africa are suffering from chronic malnutrition.

African leaders, agriculture and nutrition experts from the private and public sector mark this year’s Africa Food and Nutrition Security Day on 30 October in Niamey, Niger, to tackle malnutrition and under-development on the continent.

It is celebrated annually on 30 October and aims to create a platform in which concerned stakeholders can discuss solutions and make recommendations on food security issues in Africa.

Agriculture

It is also a platform to strengthen the momentum towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals and to assess what happens after the 2015 deadline.

AUC Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture, H.E Tumusiime Rhoda Peace, said: “The African Union Commission accords special importance to this year’s day as a prelude to 2014 the AU declared Year of Agriculture and Food and Nutrition Security and also marking the 10th anniversary of the comprehensive Africa agriculture development programme.

Tumusiime went on to say: “"The day remains an opportunity for all AU member states, governments and partners to heighten our awareness of and reinforce our commitment to accelerating our collective efforts towards a food and nutrition secure Africa.”

Food and nutrition

Increasing agricultural production, productivity, food and nutrition security all feature highly on Africa Agenda 2063, which will be considered for adoption by AU heads of state and government at their summit to be held in January next year.

The chief executive officer of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development Agency, Dr Ibrahim Mayaki, said: “Proven solutions for food and nutrition security challenges already exist and needed to be replicated.

"The era of pilot projects is long gone and it is now time to take action.  The private sector is a valuable partner in the fight against malnutrition whereas civil society remains our most important voice of conscience”.


 

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