As part of efforts to combat malnutrition and promote the consumption of nutritious foods in Kaduna State, the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) has trained some farmers and individuals on the processing and packaging of Vitamin A-rich foods for women and children to reduce cases of malnutrition.
Speaking at the training event titled “Safe and Nutritious Food Packaging, Marketing Techniques, and Business Sustainability,” Mr. Kefas Musa, a resource person for the training, said the purpose of the training was to enhance the consumption of nutritional food in Kaduna State and the country in general.
The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition GAIN is a Swiss – based foundation launched at the UN in 2002 to tackle the human suffering caused by the malnutrition with a view to transform food systems to deliver more nutritious food for all
Mr. Musa explained that GAIN had identified several states in Nigeria, including Kaduna, to train residents on Vitamin A food items such as maize, cassava, and orange potatoes, among others.
“GAIN’s major push is to reduce malnutrition worldwide, not just in Nigeria. In Nigeria, there are states identified with cases of malnutrition, including Kaduna State. These states are involved in various training and activities aimed at addressing this issue.”
“The Strengthening Nutrition in Priority Staples project is currently implemented by the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition in partnership with GIZ and the Green Innovation Center for the Agriculture and Food Sector in Nigeria (GIC), with support from the German Government.”
“The Strengthening Nutrition project will enhance the GIC priority value chain and improve food security and safety by promoting better diets for farmers, farm workers, and other workers in businesses within the value chains, as well as the wider population in Nigeria.”
He emphasized that the trainees would learn how to safely handle and package food to preserve its nutrients, particularly Vitamin A in maize.
“Many people are unaware that red maize has added nutritional value. This training will enable participants to educate the public about the health benefits of consuming this maize, which can help reduce diseases and promote proper growth.”
Mr. Kefas further explained that the focus in Kaduna is on Vitamin A maize, commonly known as yellow maize, and the training aims to teach participants proper packaging techniques to retain its nutritional content.
He urged the participants to put into practice the knowledge they acquired particularly all aspects of packaging vitamin A grains.
“At the end of the training, participants are expected to describe what safe food packaging is, demonstrate how to safely package food products, and identify modern methods and strategies for marketing packaged agro-food products, among others.”
Mr Kefas Musa attributed lack of money and lack of knowledge on how to prepare balance diet by some parents as the major causes of malnutrition.
Mr Musa stressed the need for parent to understand the knowledge of preparing balance diet for their children with a view to grow healthier especially Vitamin A Maize, Cassava, Orange Potato among others.
He however called on GAIN to extend the project, because it had given alot of feedback in Kaduna and the other States they had been chosen to reduce the cases of malnutrition.
In an interview with newsmen, a participant of the training Mr Zakaria said “what i have learned it has really open my brain and make me to understand what i have not understand before more especially in terms of packaging”
He expressed optimism for being one of the participants of the training and commended GAIN for organizing the training to improve their knowledge.
Another participant, Mrs. Fulaira Sulaiman, expressed gratitude to GAIN for organizing the training that would help them improve their skills in packaging vitamin A maize, among other things.
According to her, she has acquired knowledge that can assist her in perfecting all her packaging processes to the best standards that can compete globally.
Hannatu Sunny from Lere local government was invited to train on packaging, marketing, and how to dispose of their products generally to add value to their products.
COV/AMINU DALHATU
