From Okwe Obi, Abuja
The Federal Government and HarvestPlus Nigeria, yesterday, expressed worry over the lack of micronutrients in meals.
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mohammed Mahmood, said 37% of Nigerian children are stunted as they do not have enough vitamin A, iron, zinc and iodine in foods.
Mohmood spoke in Abuja at a book launch entitled: ‘Biofortified Crops on my Plate”, authored by HarvestPlus Nigeria.
Represented by the Director of Tree Crops, Bernard Ukata, he said: “Like many other African countries, the nutrition situation in Nigeria is a concern. Stunting and wasting rates are 37% and 7% respectively. Key micronutrients such as vitamin A, iron, zinc and iodine were equally deficient in foods consumed by vulnerable groups in Nigeria.
“Equally, less than half of children in Nigeria eat iron rich/fortified foods. There is concern that the prevalence of child stunting, wasting, and micronutrient deficiencies is expected to increase.
“Considering the existing partnership between the FMARD and Harvestplus, in research, multiplication and commercialization of biofortified staple crops in Nigeria, I have no doubt that, together, the aforementioned challenges are surmountable. My Ministry is leaving no stone unturned to nip the situation in the bud,” he said.
Also, the HarvestPlus Country Director, Yusuf Dollah Fu’ad, explained that the book is a collection of practical and traditional dishes that have been cleverly adapted to provide added nutrition and fight malnutrition through biofortified foods.
According to him, the book was developed by HarvestPlus in partnership with the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Federal Ministry of Health, and its development partners, the recipes include popular Nigerian bio-fortified staples such as vitamin A cassava, vitamin A maize, and vitamin A orange sweet potato, which have been shown to reduce micronutrient deficiencies and improve the health of women and children when eaten regularly.
In addition, the Chief Nutritionist, HarvestPlus, Erick Boy added that, “This recipe book is a testament to the power of food to nourish and heal, and we hope it will inspire people to incorporate nutritious bio-fortified crops into their diets and improve their health and well-being.
“Biofortification uses conventional breeding to develop food crops that provide more of the essential vitamins and minerals (micronutrients) required for good health. In Nigeria, micronutrient malnutrition—known as hidden hunger—remains a public health challenge to be addressed: approximately one in three preschool-aged children suffer from vitamin A deficiency, and over 50 percent of women are anemic.
“Traditional white non-biofortified cassava, maize, and sweet potatoes are among Nigeria’s most consumed staple foods, but they are low in essential micronutrients like vitamin A.
“The adoption of yellow and orange biofortified varieties in their place in Nigeria has led to these crops being perceived not only as good sources of energy but as nutritious foods with proven health benefits.
“BIOFORTIFIED CROPS ON MY PLATE” is integral to HarvestPlus and its partners’ efforts to provide nutritious and tasty ways for families to incorporate nutrient-enriched crops into their daily meals.
“The book offers over 50 recipes using vitamin A cassava, vitamin A maize, and vitamin A orange sweet potatoes as the main ingredients.
“The recipes have been developed to meet the daily nutrition needs of all family members and to provide a diverse menu using biofortified crops, aiming to improve nutrient intake and reduce malnutrition.
The book is a valuable resource for mothers, caregivers, cooks, food processors, bakers, teachers, and students to incorporate biofortified vitamin A food crops into their diets.
“It is also a useful tool for researchers, development workers in the agriculture and health sectors, agricultural value chain developers, extension agents, health workers, and policymakers working to combat nutrition insecurity and poverty.”