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| Image: Seeds being distributed to the beneficiary farmers by Harvestplus in Jigawa. |
By Muhammad Salisu
In a bid to enhance food security and nutrition in Jigawa State, a foreign agency, HarvestPlus, in conjunction with the Jigawa State government, has distributed biofortified seeds to 30,000 smallholder farmers across the state.
HarvestPlus has been working in Jigawa State for the past five years, promoting nutrient-enriched crops through support from FCDO. But the current initiative, which will reach 30,000 farmers across 27 LGAs, is funded by the Latter Days Saints based in the United States.
The flag-off ceremony was held on Monday at the Jigawa State Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (JARDA) premises in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital.
Speaking at the event, the Country Manager of HarvestPlus, Nigeria, Dr. Yusuf Dollah Fou'ad, explained that the program aims to combat micronutrient malnutrition by providing staple crops enriched with essential vitamins and minerals. "For most of us in Nigeria, when we eat food and fill our stomach, then we say we are satisfied, but that is not satisfaction," he said.
Dr. Fou'ad emphasized that satisfaction comes when the food we eat delivers the necessary micronutrients and vitamins for a healthy life. He noted that hidden hunger, or micronutrient malnutrition, occurs when we consume food lacking these essential nutrients.
The HarvestPlus Country Manager highlighted the organization's work in developing climate-smart, nutrient-enriched crop varieties, including vitamin A-enriched sweet potatoes, cassava, and maize, as well as iron and zinc-enriched millet and rice.
According to Dr. Fou'ad, research shows that rising temperatures due to climate change are depleting nutrients in staple crops, making it essential to invest in creating access to these nutritious varieties.
Dr. Fou'ad thanked the Jigawa State government for creating an enabling environment for development operations in the state.
In his address, the Jigawa State Governor, Umar Namadi, who flagged off the distribution, expressed his commitment to supporting initiatives that improve the lives of his people and emphasized the importance of nutrition in the development of children, particularly during the first 1,000 days of life.
Governor Namadi thanked HarvestPlus for choosing Jigawa State for this initiative, noting that it would significantly impact the health and well-being of the people.
Earlier, the Technical Adviser on Agriculture in Jigawa State, Dr. Saifullahi Umar, also spoke at the event, highlighting the state's efforts to improve agriculture and nutrition.
"The biofortified seeds being distributed include vitamin A maize and iron and zinc-enriched millet, which are high-yielding, climate-smart, and have high flour yield when milled," he said.
He then emphasised that "by providing access to nutritious seeds, the program aims to empower farmers to produce more nutritious crops, ultimately leading to better health outcomes for their families and communities."
On their part, the beneficiary farmers through the Jigawa State Chairman, Association of All Farmers of Nigeria (AFAN) Engr. Auwal Garba, expressed gratitude to HarvestPlus and the Jigawa State government for the support.
The chairman stated that "most of the farmers can't afford to buy good seeds for farming, and most of what we plant is for our consumption. This assistance has come as a relief to us. We'll be able to plant nutritious crops that will improve our health and well-being."
He hinted further that "We've been struggling to access quality seeds, and our crops have not been doing well. With these biofortified seeds, we're hopeful that our harvests will improve, and we'll have enough food for our families and to feed the nation."
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