By Stephen Adeleye.
The Federal Government of Nigeria and International Fund for Agricultural Development (FGN/IFAD) Assisted Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) in Kogi,, have held a Nutrition Policy Dialogue to enhance nutrition outcomes in the state
The event is to showcase IFAD-VCDP five-year achievements in promoting nutrition along the cassava and rice value chains in Kogi State.
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Timothy Ojomah, represented by Permanent Secretary, Mr Moses Dare Joseph, praised VCDP’s impact on farmers’ lives in the state.
The Commissioner noted the VCDP has had a great impact in the state and stressed the importance of good nutrition through balanced diets.
Ojomah described the dialogue as a welcome development, noting that the product exhibition would have a multiplier effect on the state in terms of balanced diet, job creation, and self-reliance.
The State Project Coordinator (SPC), Dr Stella Adejoh, highlighted VCDP’s efforts in building the capacity of farmers, particularly women in rural communities.
“We’ve empowered women with skills in home gardening and provided necessary information to improve dietary content at the household level,” she said.
She noted that the programme has been operational in Kogi since 2020, with interventions in five Local Government Areas: Lokoja, Ajaokuta, Ibaji, Kabba-Bunu, and Olamaboro.
Dr Adejoh said the event brought together stakeholders from government agencies and ministries, non-state actors, and 80 women from the five LGAs (16 per LGA).
The SPC emphasized the importance of collaboration, encouraging women to train others and promote home gardening for balanced diets.
“The programme aims to scale up its activities, supporting value addition to rice and cassava, and improving nutrition in Kogi State,” she said.
Guest speaker, Mr John Tsebam, Executive Director, Affordable Nutrition Consulting Firm, delivered a lecture on Nutrition Sensitive Agriculture, highlighting its impact on public health.
Tsebam stressed the need for government support for nutrition programmes, technical support for health workers, and nutrition screening at health centers.
He emphasised that nutrition sensitive agriculture reduces malnutrition and improves public health and well-being of the vulnerable.
Dr Bello Ogirima, Kogi ADP Managing Director, stressed the need for good nutritional value for healthy living and increased productivity.
Mr Abubakar Musa, State Nutrition Committee Chairman, commended women in farming for their commitment to nutrition and encouraged budget preparation for balanced diets.
Mrs Funmilayo Eseyin, Director Nutrition, Ministry of Agriculture, advocated for home gardens to boost quality nutrition.
Alh. Abdulateef Yusuf, State Nutrition Officer, Ministry of Health, emphasized the importance of a multi-sectoral approach to nutrition.
The event featured a product exhibition showcasing VCDP farmers’ products, including cassava peanut, cassava chinchin, cassava flakes, and Tom Brown.
