FG to launch ‘Operation Feed Yourself’ campaign to tackle malnutrition .

Fears of having to contend with malnutrition in the country, may have prompted the Federal Government in conjunction with State governments to launch a new initiative tagged “Operation Feed Yourself”.

The scheme which is the brain child of the National Economic Council and the National Council on Nutrition, would among other things, encourage the establishment of urban farms and small home gardens.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo revealed the plans at a High-Level Meeting on Nutrition attended by United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Mrs Amina Mohammed, and other dignitaries.

According to a statement by the VP’s spokesman, Laolu Akande, the plan for ‘Operation Feed Yourself’ is one of three major plans arising from the UN-backed Food Systems Dialogues, to advance the fight against malnutrition. The statement was titled, ‘Nigeria Plans ‘Operation Feed Yourself’ To Counter Malnutrition’.

“States and the FGN will promote what the convener has described as ‘Operation Feed Yourself’. This is more of the establishment of urban farms and homestead gardens. This is simply something that we think should be a mass appeal to citizens in the states, and the encouragement we can give them so that individuals and schools develop their own farms or homestead gardens.

This obviously not only helps individuals and families but the excess can be sold to others and generally improve food security,” the statement read in part.