KWSG CHARGES ON SCHOOL FARMING, GARDENING TO IMPROVE FOOD SECURITY

 

Members of the State Committee on Food and Nutrition during the 3rd quarter meeting at the conference room of Ministry of Finance, Ilorin


As part of efforts of the Kwara State Government to increase the nutrition of Kwara citizens and eradicate the scourge of malnutrition from the State, the State Government has charged all schools across the State to encourage students to partake in school gardening and farming as these will strengthen food security in the State.


This was deliberated recently at the 3rd quarter meeting of the State Committee on Food and Nutrition (SCFN) held at the conference room of the Ministry of Finance. 


The two days meeting, which was precided over by the Acting Chairman of the SCFN, Alhaji AbdulBarka Ibrahim, who doubles as the Director, Monitoring and Evaluation of the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, had in attendance all Stakeholders for Nutrition in Kwara State.


At the meeting, the Committee discussed the need for all schools in the State to actively engage in school gardening and farming to help students develop interest in farming. 


Alhaji Ibrahim pointed out that 'school farming is necessary to change the narrative and mind set of our young ones about farming.'

           

The Director, Planning, Alhaji Alimi Surajudeen, who was represented by the Chief Planning Officer, Mallam Abubakar Zakariyau, also added that school farming is a good initiative to reduce hunger and boost nutrition in the State.


The Nutrition Desk Officer, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs. Jemila Adamu Gene, who trained the Committee members on 'Dietary Diversity' the second day, gave an insightful and expository lecture on eating a variety of food to get maximum nutrients.

               

She emphasized that no single food contains all the required nutrients, so consuming a variety of diets will reduce the risk of chronic diseases, help to manage weight, lower the risk of food allergy and reduce inflammation. 


Mrs. Gene admonished residents to diversify agriculture to improve food security and nutritional status of households as well as promote under exploited traditional food such as 'Egbo' made from maize, 'Luru soup' from baobab tree, 'Opa' from bambara nut, etc.


In her final submission, she said,  'women with nutritious diets are more likely to give birth to healthy babies. As an adult, you will be more fit for work; you will not be easily attacked by diseases'.


Responding, an Associate Professor from University of Ilorin, Dr. Fausat Kolawole said people should eat from different classes of food, affirming that our food should be our medicine; our medicine should not be our food.

 

*Ajiboye Racheal,*

Information Officer,

MOC.

08067550135

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