By: Enahoro Iyemefokhai
No fewer than 40 farmers in Edo State have been trained on the production and utilization of orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD).
The ministry said the training on the production and utilization of orange-fleshed sweet potato was geared towards promoting healthy living in the state.
Speaking at the one-day train the trainer’s skill acquisition workshop for Women and youths in Benin, the Director, Federal Department of Agriculture, Engr Garba Abubakar said OFSP was rich in vitamin A and boost immunity hence the need to promote the crop.
Abubakar, represented by Mr Wellington Omoragbon, Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Edo state office,said the training had become necessary following the immense nutritional benefits that can be derived from OFSP.
He explained that in pursuit of food security and nutrition for the nation, OFSP was readily available to be utilized and processed into various products such as chi- chi, flour, bread, sweetener and juice among others.
According to him, the health and wealth benefits of OFSP are a result of its richness in beta carotene, which is a precursor of vitamin A.
“It is very profitable to look in the direction of product development in order to create wealth and more jobs for the teeming youths and women.
“It is an adequate food to combat vitamin A deficiency in children and boost immunity of the elderly people,” he said.
He said the purpose of the workshop was to bring together young men and women with the aim of training them to become champions in the act of value addition and product development from OFSP.
“It is to also encourage policymakers to support promotion and utilization of the crop in the area of the school feeding programme, food for the vulnerable and the internally displaced persons,” he added.
He urged participants to take advantage of the training to learn, brainstorm, and offer suggestions that will change the narratives of low adoption of the crop in Nigeria.
Two died, 25 houses razed down in tanker explosion in Delta
Earlier, in his address, the Permanent Secretary, Edo State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Peter Aikhuomobhogbe commended the federal government for the capacity building.
Aikhuomobhogbe, represented by the Director of planning, monitoring, and Evaluation, Mr Minister Osula, said the state government was committed to building the capacity of farmers to create wealth and ensure food security in the state.
On his part, the Desk Officer for Potato value chain in the ministry, Mr Adedamola Adegoke said Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato was not so common in the south southern part of the country adding that, the efforts was geared towards achieving food nutrition and security in the country.
