African Economic Research Consortium (AERC) will hold its Senior Policy Seminar (SPS) from March 9-10, 2020 at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.
The event is hosted in partnership with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the CBN Governor, Dr. Godwin Emefiele will deliver the keynote address.
AERC’s
annual Senior Policy Seminar is unique – bringing together senior policy makers
from sub-Saharan African countries together with economic researchers to share
knowledge and debate on urgent policy issues relating to sustainable
development of African economies.
This
year, the focus is Agriculture and Food Policies for Nutrition in Africa,
addressing agricultural growth patterns, the burden of malnutrition, diet
diversities, climate smart agricultural practices, market access, food security
and the effect of agriculture on health and nutrition.
Since 2016, with support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, AERC has implemented a number of research activities under the Analysis of the Impact of Agricultural, Food and Nutrition Policies on Nutrition Outcomes in Africa (AFPON) programme.
This research is aimed at linking agricultural policies to various nutrition outcomes such as stunting, wasting, anemia, child mortality, micronutrient deficiencies, obesity and malnutrition.
Dr.
Innocent Matshe, AERC’s Director of Training stated that the seminar was going
to be highly impactful for all participants. “The importance of agriculture and
food policies towards positive nutrition outcomes for all Africans is vital to
sustain and grow economies as we move into a new decade”, he said.
“With
our unique approach of bringing topic-matter research experts in the field of
agriculture and nutrition together with senior policy makers across the
continent, we believe the discussions and debates will help countries across
the region begin to implement policies to foster and support this sector, and
to help policymakers learn from each other through shared knowledge around
policy successes and failures”, Dr. Matshe added.
