In pursuit of its delivery agenda for Vitamin A Cassava initiative and in preparation for the 2015 planting season, HarvestPlus Nigeria, in conjunction with its partners, is targeting dissemination of improved vitamin A cassava stems to over 700,000 farmers this year.
The objectives this year were reached after a review meeting recently in Owerri, the Imo State capital, with its partners in Imo, Benue, Akwa Ibom an Oyo as well as stakeholders in the agricultural sector.
Paul Ilona, country manager, HarvestPlus Nigeria, in a statement, said other plans of the organisation include establishment of over 300 processing centres for vitamin A cassava; establishment of over 300 points of sale for vitamin A cassava food products and confectionery; ensuring that at least three million Nigerians consume vitamin A cassava products this year, and reaching out to over 50 million Nigerians with information on vitamin A cassava initiative.
Frank Ibezim, commissioner for agriculture, Imo State, while declaring the work-planning session and Vitamin A Cassava products exhibition open, said: “Imo State is happy to host HarvestPlus and its partners. We will support you in your drive to ensure that Nigerians have access to healthier and more nutritious foods using the vitamin A cassava initiative.”
He called on HarvestPlus and partners to sustain the fight against hidden hunger, poverty and lack of access of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to fund.
Highlights of the three-day meeting include visits to local processors of vitamin A cassava as well as fabricators of cassava processing equipment in the state.
The team also paid visits to Amauzari Vitamin A Cassava model village under the management of Forward Africa, one of HarvestPlus’ partners in Imo State.
HarvestPlus leads a global effort to improve nutrition and public health by developing and deploying staple food crops that are rich in vitamins and minerals.
DANIEL OBI
