Commercialization of Bio-fortified Crops Project: Anambra State trains over 50

Tochukwu Ifejika, Awka.

Last updated Jun 20, 2022

Over fifty youths, farmers, food and value chain processors under the Commercialization of Bio-fortified Crops (CBC) project in Anambra State, South-east Nigeria, have been trained in improved processing techniques of bio-fortified food products, such as vitamin A-fortified maize, cassava and orange-fleshed sweet potatoes.

The two-day training held in Awka, the State capital, and organized by Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) in partnership with Harvest Plus was aimed at enhancing the consumption of nutritious and safe food as well as strengthening demand for nutrient-rich stable crops and creating enabling environment for bio-fortified foods and food products.

Anambra State is one of the ten States in Nigeria benefiting from the Commercialization of Bio-fortified Crops project significantly to expand production and consumption of bio-fortified crops and food through market development and commercialization, in order to combat malnutrition and develop nutrient-rich varieties of essential crops.

Speaking during the training, a resource person, Sir Emeka Okoli, disclosed that the annual event is to empower youths, farmers and food processors with improved techniques in processing.

While explaining that bio-fortified crops are enriched with vitamins and micro nutrients like Iron and Zinc, Sir Emeka urged the participants to imbibe the knowledge from the training, as it would help them build their lives.

With the theme “Improving Business Capabilities to Deliver More Nutritious foods in Nigeria”, the facilitator, Mr. Kpelumi Arigbisala, noted that despite government’s effort to ensure that malnutrition in Nigeria is combated, it is still increasing as a result of poor quality, non-hygienic and unsafe products from food processors. He, therefore, called on processors to ensure that their products are safe for consumption.

“Bio-fortification has the capacity to make impact in households and at industrial level, hence scaling and commercialization of bio-fortified crops will make huge positive impact on the economy and help reduce malnutrition,” he emphasized.

Some participants, including Prince Kenechukwu Eberendu from Aguata Council Area and Uju Ananwude from Awka North Local Government Area appreciated the sponsors while noting that with the training on bio-fortification of foods, scarcity of variety of foods will be reduced drastically.