Foundation For Livelihood Advancement Set To End Nutritional Deficiency In Imo

To ensure healthy and nutritious living, a Non-Governmental Organization and the Imo State Partner for theCommercialization of Biofortified Crops (CBC) Project, Foundation for Livelihood Advancement (FLA), has reeled out practical knowledge for parents, students, caregivers to end nutritional deficiency in the state.

Speaking during the training of maize processors under the Commercialization of of Biofortified Crops (CBC) project on modern ways of processing Vitamin A maize into nutritious food and delicacies held at Home Economic Hall, Imo ADP zonal office, Owerri, the Resource Person, Ejiofor Okoli Maryann Ogechukwu who is the founder, Esomchi Foundations and Esomchi Foods who did most of the practical sessions on using vitamin A maize, millet and guinea corn as pap, vitamin A maize and OFSP pap, vitamin A maize and cassava odorless fufu and vitamin A maize and plantain said that most of the nutritious foods we buy at high price can be prepared in the home for healthy living of members of the family. She hinted that we may be living well, but learning how to live well is key, adding that it is not the quantity of food one eats that matters but is one eating healthy. She said that there is need to process biofortified foods into value addition so that according to her, the nutritional value of the things we eat can be enhanced.

In his contribution, the Program Manager, CBC Project, Mr. Goodluck Ogu urged the participants to make use the rare opportunity provided by FLA and CBC to learn how to process biofortified foods into many other value addition for healthy living, stressing that the training offered by the organizations were heavily paid for elsewhere, adding that because of the need to increase the awareness for the intake, planting and commercialization of biofortified foods, they decided to offer the training at no cost.

In his opening remarks, the Chairman Board of Trustees, Foundation for Livelihood Advancement, Rev. Dr. G. S. Adaka, represented by the Program Director, Elder Kenneth Amogu hinted that the training was in collaboration with Imo State Ministry of Health and Imo State Agricultural Development Programme (Imo ADP). Elder Amogu said that the event which had students from FUTO, ALVAN, IMSU, Umuagwo, seniors lecturers and farmers in attendance was to build the capacity of participants with practical knowledge and skills on how to process Vitamin A maize into different foods, using available materials within their locality for an improved nutritious feeding. He posited that the participants are expected to step down the knowledge and skills, especially on how to prepare local foods and delicacies using Vitamin A maize. He commended Imo ADP, CBC, ministry of health, Imo state and the Board of Trustee, FLA, Rev. Dr. G. S. Adaka for their commitment in ensuring that nutritional value of citizens is enhanced.