Khadijat Saidu, Birnin Kebbi
In an effort to promote healthy living among the citizens and ensure food security, the Federal Government of Nigeria has admonished potato farmers in the country to adopt planting of orange-fleshed sweet potato.
Federal Government through the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development made the call during the sweet potato farmers stakeholder meeting held at Presidential banquet hall Birnin Kebbi to sensitize them on the potato value chain.
Addressing the gathering, while declaring event open, the Director, Federal Department of Agriculture, Hajia Karima Babangida, explained that considering the benefits of Orange Fleshed Sweet Potato, the Ministry has resolved to explore the opportunities to further achieve food nutrition and food security.
Karima who was represented by Eng. Ubandoma Ularamu explain that the primary objective of convening the stakeholder workshop is to create a forum for the stakeholders/major actors in the Potato Value Chain to put forward the realization of the fullest potentials lurked up in Potato Production, Processing, utilization and Marketing.
Adding that the Ministry is planning to partner with master bakers and other baker’s associations to engage them on how to include 40% OFSP puree for bread making, with the hope to increase adoption, utilization and consumption of OFSP across the country.
In achieving the above, she informed the gathering that the Ministry is willing to contribute to the development of the Potato Value Chain through its various agencies and research institutes with mandates in rendering technical services.
“The Ministry also has quite a number of support services for farmers and processors to benefit from. Farm inputs such as; agro-chemicals, farm equipment and machinery available at subsidized rates in the Ministry.
“she noted that the ministry has identified challenges in Potato Value Chain; right from the seed system protocols to the marketing of the produce, she therefore urged all stakeholders to cooperate with the government to ensure orange-fleshed sweet potato receive a boost in the Agric sector.
Earlier in his opening remarks, State Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Abdullahi Shehu explained that aside from the wealth potentials of processing OFSP into various confectioneries such as Chin-chin, juice, biscuits, cake, flour, bread among others.
“Its health benefits cannot be overemphasized as it is known to have enough nutritional values to supply the vitamin A requirement for children between the ages of 6 months to 5 years, support pregnant and lactating mothers and also help boost the immune system of the elderly.
However, the state Commissioner for Agriculture and natural resources Alhaji Maigari Abdullahi Dakingari in his Remarks said the Kebbi state government is fully in support of growing the crop and arrangements is on top gear to support about 8000 farmers during this year’s wet season farming. Adding that the number will continue to double in subsequent years, he added.
