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..
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