It is a known fact that hunger and nutritional deficiencies are one of the conditions plaguing many developing nations of the world, conditions which affect both the citizens and the countries’ overall economies. Thus, as part of the activities to fulfil its vision of creating a world free of hunger, HarvestPlus in collaboration with five Eastern Nigeria States is organising its 2017 Nutritious Food Fair (NFF 2017).
To be hosted by the Enugu State Government, the third edition of the Nutritious Food Fair which is themed: Scaling-Up Nutritious Food Choices: Engaging Everyone, Everywhere is scheduled to hold at Michael Okpara Square, Enugu State for three days, starting from the 24th to 26th of October, 2017. Although attendance is free, attendees and participants are expected to register at www.nutritiousfoodfair.org
According to the Country Manager-Nigeria of HarvestPlus, Mr Paul Ilona, Nutritious Food Fair was conceived as an umbrella advocacy and enterprise platform to drive the production, marketing and consumption of nutritious foods in Nigeria. He noted that the primary objectives of the food fair are to encourage investment into nutritious foods by the public and private sectors as well as to stimulate government’s intervention in preventing hidden hunger.
Mr Ilona said “The 2017 edition of Nutritious Food Fair will reflect on the numerous links between improving nutrition and empowering women in Nigeria. We cannot end malnutrition if we do not invest in women. There are so many opportunities in the bio-fortified food sector to invest in women and we learn over and over again that these investments have the highest return in rural development.”
Speaking to CEOAfrica about the event, Mr Ilona expressed confidence that HarvestPlus, through the 2017 Nutritious Food Fair will strive to reach a target of providing about 3000 jobs to unemployed youths. He noted that aside from hunger and malnutrition, massive youth unemployment is another challenge that hinders the development of a nation; hence there is a need to create jobs for youths which will partly solve the problem of hunger and starvation.
According to Mr Ilona, this year’s edition will witness the exhibition of products from stakeholders in the public, private and development sectors like; small and large scale farmers, food industries, seed companies, herbicide and fertilizer companies, equipment manufacturers; international and national research institutes. He also added that Nollywood celebrities will be at the event to share knowledge about promoting nutrition through movies.
Other major attractions at the NFF 2017 include; the grand finale of NutriQuiz and Nutri Cooking competitions as well as an attempt to set Guinness World Record for the largest nutritious cassava dish in the world. Several countries will also be represented at the 2017 Nutritious Food Fair.
HarvestPlus which has CEOAfrica as its official media partner, is jointly funded by UKAID, USAID and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and is in partnership with international organisations like; CGAIR, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), International Centre for Research in Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) .
Other Nigerian partners for the event include; Non-Governmental Organisations, Research Institutions, Academic Institutions, Agricultural Associations, International Development Organisations, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Federal Ministry of Health as well as other Federal and State Ministries.
Coordinated by CIAT and IFPRI, HarvestPlus is an international organisation which is committed to improving nutrition and public health by developing and promoting bio-fortified food crops that are rich in vitamins and minerals, and providing global leadership on bio-fortification evidence and technology.
