HarvestPlus holds 10th Nutritious Food Fair in Niger

Governor Muhammad Umaru Bago of Niger State has directed the Ministry of Education, especially school farms, to collaborate with HarvestPlus Nigeria to produce macronutrient-fortified crops for school children.

Bago made the directive while declaring open the 10th Nutritious Food Fair in Minna, an event focused on promoting nutritious food and public health. He also proposed that HarvestPlus Nigeria consider making the state its headquarters, highlighting that Niger State has the necessary resources for such an initiative.

The governor praised the organizers for choosing Niger as the host for this year’s fair. He also outlined his administration’s efforts to promote agriculture, noting that the state has successfully harvested various macronutrient-rich crops.

Bago revealed plans for a 30,000-hectare bio-fortified food production center in Adunu, Paikoro Local Government Area, which will significantly support nutrition. The center is set to begin with 3,000 hectares in the upcoming dry season and extend into the wet season.

Senator Aliyu Sa’abi Abdullahi, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, who was represented by Alh. Nuhu Adamu, Director of the Food and Safety Department, commended HarvestPlus for its collaboration with the Niger State Government. He emphasized that the initiative would help reduce malnutrition in the state and nationwide, noting the ministry’s focus on sustainable food systems and improving nutrition and food safety.

Dr. Fu’ad Dollah, Country Manager for HarvestPlus Nigeria, explained that the Nutritious Food Fair serves as a platform to bring together stakeholders in the nutritious crops value chain, including seed companies, farmers, and policymakers. He praised Niger State for its progress in producing nutritious foods and highlighted Governor Bago’s agricultural reforms that support food and nutrition security.

Governor Bago later toured various food stands displaying the products at the fair.