NGO tackles vitamin A deficiency, distributes 3,350 cassava stems

As part of efforts to combat vitamin deficiencies among Nigerians and boost the consumption of vitamin A, a  major nutrient for clear sight, a non-governmental organisation, Harvest Plus, has embarked on the distribution of vitamin A enriched cassava stems to farmers in rural communities in Nigeria.

According to John Alamu, the database administrator of Harvest Plus, the project was conceived and funded by donor agencies to address the global challenge of malnutrition, especially in developing countries where it has been discovered that one out of every three persons is afflicted with essential nutrient deficiency.

He disclosed that the project, which started with four pilot states in Nigeria, namely, Oyo, Imo, Benue and Akwa Ibom States, is expected to extend to other states in phases every year, adding that by the end of 2014, over 3,350 vitamin A cassava stems would have been distributed in about eight states in the federation.

He disclosed that Harvest Plus is collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Federal Ministry of Health in the project, and so far the enlightenment campaign is going on alongside the distribution of the cassava.

Alamu  explained that vitamin deficiency is the major cause of some illnesses, adding that vitamin A helps to improve eyesight and boost immune systems in the human body.

He stressed that much of the foods people consume are deficient of these essential vitamins, hence the deliberate effort to develop the vitamin A enriched cassava.

The Harvest Plus Database Administrator further said that the new cassava which debuted in 2011 could be used to prepare various types of foods such as moi-moi, garri, fufu, among other forms of food consumed by Nigerians.

He said vitamin A cassava has a natural vitamin A in it, and therefore it is different from the development of the controversial genetically modified crops. Alamu who spoke at a one-day seminar for journalists held in Ibadan recently with the theme: “Promoting the Consumption of Vitamin A Cassava” said the NGO seeks to create awareness of the existence of such crop in Nigeria and to avail members of the public the opportunity to key into its production and marketing.

Alamu disclosed that the NGO has partnered with Nollywood actors and have produced videos that would be used to disseminate and propagate the vitamin A cassava consumption in rural areas that are the most vulnerable in vitamin deficiency. He said the videos would be released soon.

On his choice of Nollywood as the channel for information dissemination, he explained that research has shown that people in rural communities tend to listen more to their favourite actors who validate certain products and lifestyles than using handbills and posters, which they have discovered to be ineffective in their campaign so far.

Daniel Obi