News in Brief:
– The Lagos State government has empowered over 300 women and youths with the knowledge and skills to cultivate and process orange-fleshed sweet potatoes. – These potatoes are a nutritious and versatile crop that can help combat malnutrition and improve food security in Nigeria.
Over 300 individuals, including women, youth, and agricultural extension officers, recently participated in a comprehensive training programme focused on cultivating and processing orange-fleshed sweet potatoes.
The training initiative, a joint effort by the Lagos State Agricultural Development Authority (LSADA) and the State Committee on Food and Nutrition (SCFN), aligns with the administration’s efforts to enhance food security.
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Abisola Olusanya, stated that this initiative supports the state government’s goal of fostering a 21st-century economy. She emphasised the significant contribution of women and youth to the state’s population.
Essentially, the government aims to empower participants with agricultural skills and create avenues for economic growth.
Empowering women and youths
The training program provided participants with in-depth knowledge of the various aspects of orange-fleshed sweet potato cultivation, including:
- Production Techniques: Participants learned effective methods for cultivating the crop, including soil preparation, planting, and crop management.
- Processing Methods: The training covered a range of processing techniques, enabling participants to transform the crops into various value-added products such as flour, garri, chin-chin, and cakes.
- Nutritional and Economic Benefits: Participants gained a comprehensive understanding of the nutritional value of orange-fleshed sweet potatoes and explored the potential for generating income through the cultivation and processing of this versatile crop.
Expanding market opportunities
Additionally, LSADA officials highlighted the agency’s ongoing efforts to empower women with the necessary knowledge and resources to engage in the cultivation and processing of orange-fleshed potatoes.
Furthermore, they noted the potential for both local consumption and export of value-added products derived from this nutritious crop, thereby creating new market opportunities for participants.
Acting Programme Manager for LSADA, Alade Adewale, stated that the idea was for farmers to know the various benefits that can be derived from cultivating and processing the crop to make ends meet.
The Lagos State government’s initiative aims to achieve several key objectives:
- Enhance Food Security: Increase the availability of nutritious food within the state.
Create Economic Opportunities: Generate income and improve livelihoods for women and youth. - Promote Sustainable Agriculture: Encourage the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices.
- The training program provided participants with valuable resources, including planting materials and guidance on effective processing techniques.
Nutritional powerhouse
The orange-fleshed sweet potatoes (OFSP) are a nutritional powerhouse, particularly important in tropical countries like Nigeria, for the following reasons:
— Rich in Beta-Carotene: The vibrant orange colour comes from beta-carotene, a precursor to Vitamin A. Vitamin A deficiency is a major public health concern in many developing countries, including Nigeria. The deficiency could lead to issues like night blindness and weakened immune systems.
— Combating Malnutrition: It is a good source of essential nutrients like Vitamin C, iron, and fibre. This makes them a valuable addition to diets, especially for vulnerable populations like children and pregnant women who are at risk of malnutrition.
— Food Security: It is a relatively easy crop to grow, even in challenging conditions. This makes them a valuable food security crop, helping to ensure a reliable source of nutrition for communities.
— Versatility: It can be prepared in various ways – boiled, baked, roasted, or even processed into flour, making it a versatile and adaptable food source.
