Presidency engages media to boost agric reporting, food security

The Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit (PFSCU) recently convened a strategic dialogue with leading Media Houses and Agricultural Journalists in Abuja to introduce the Unit’s mandate and explore ways to strengthen agricultural reporting in Nigeria.

The engagement highlighted the critical role of the media in shaping public discourse, raising policy awareness, and driving accountability in the nation’s quest for food security.

Marion Moon, Technical Assistant to the President on Agriculture and Coordinator of the PFSCU, emphasised the Unit’s commitment to transforming Nigeria’s food systems through evidence-based strategies.

Moon stated, “While our perspectives may differ, we are united by one undeniable truth: Nigeria must achieve food security and the media is our indispensable partner in communicating this national imperative.”

Media representatives identified challenges which included a lack of access to accurate agricultural data, poor support from the Government, insecurity, selective advertorial opportunities for the media, saying the media is a business and not a not-for-profit and a lack of inclusion in accessing critical data.

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They unanimously called for a centralised data platform to support quality reporting and more inclusion in Government activities.

BusinessDay reports that the dialogue yielded proposals to elevate agricultural journalism, including regular training programmes for journalists, improved access to Government agricultural initiatives, and the formation of a joint PFSCU-media working group.

PFSCU committed to institutionalising the partnerships, recognising the media as a critical ally in achieving the administration’s food security and agricultural transformation goals.

PFSCU aims to accelerate the implementation of priority initiatives that deliver tangible results in food security, agricultural industrialisation, and sustainable economic growth.

Ruth Tene Natsa

Ruth Tene, Assistant Editor, Agric/Solid Minerals/INEC Ruth Tene is an award-winning journalist with over 15 years experience in developmental reporting across several newsrooms, as a reporter, editor and other managerial roles. She holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism from the University of Maiduguri among several other certifications She has attended several trainings and certifications both locally and internationally and has been recognized for her impactful work in humanitarian reporting, receiving the Gold Award for Humanitarian Services from the Amazing Grace Foundation. She is also a recipient of the Home Alliance Fellowship, reflecting her commitment to fostering a more humane, safer and more sustainable planet. An active member of professional journalism bodies, Ruth is affiliated with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), and the Agricultural Correspondents Association of Nigeria (ACAN), where she continues to advocate for excellence, ethical reporting, and development-focused journalism.