MORE AWARENESS FOR OFSP SAYS STAKEHOLDERS.

The Rainbow Project Annual Review Meeting on Orange Fleshed Sweet Potato (OFSP) has concluded on the need to create more awareness for further consolidation of its achievement in 2014 through projection of its activities, work plan and budget towards moving forward through International Potato Centre, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and other related stakeholders in actualizing awareness to the members of the public on the importance of the product as regards health. 

Stakeholders present at the review called for more awareness and sensitization on the importance of Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato based on its beta carotene content, its nutrition and health benefits as it also reduces the high death rate among kids between age 1-5 who lack vitamin A deficiency adding that government should include the product in the school feeding programme so as to avail many children opportunity to benefit from the nutrient calories in this produce.  

The Senior Adviser on food security and Nutrition to the Honorable Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Victor Ajieroh said OFSP is a nutritional edible that can checkmate malnutrition in the lives of children and adult saying that the Federal Government is using a critical and systemic approach to educate more people thereby creating market awareness to every household.

 Mr. Mohammed Aliyu Ibrahim, an OFSP marketer said, there is prospect for the Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato, but pointed the product needs more awareness through the media, market shows, and other avenues towards enhancing the product circulation round the country for availability to both the poor and the rich.

Mr. Festus Aigbedion of the Heritage potato Chips Mararaba, Abuja also added that the OFSP is capable of creating job for Nigerians especially the youths but also suggested a partnership platform to help build the production and spread across the 36 states.

An OFSP farmer, Mrs Foluke Okanlawon commended Governor Aregbesola saying” despite the fact that the Orange-Flesh Sweet Potato is new in Osun state, the government has shown great interest in the product, infact OFSP has been included in the school feeding program in Osun state, which is believed to be helping in the reduction of the Vitamin A deficiency among kids”. 

The Food and Beverages manager of the Vines hotel Limited, Mr. Buba Munengs said with the varietiesof food produced from the Orange-Flesh Sweet Potato, he is sure that OFSP will serve the need of those customers on special diet especially on the health and wealth benefits attached to the product..