The Global Alliance for Integrated Nutrition (GAIN), World Food Project (WFP) incollaboration with the Federal and Kebbi State Governments have conducted a five day acceptability test for fortified rice in 23 schools in Argungu, Birnin-Kebbi and Gwadangwaji areas of the state.
The fortified rice cooking programme facilitator, Professor Oluwatosin Adu said kebbi State was unanimously chosen as pilot state for the fortified rice programme because it's the hub of rice production in the country.
He added that the fortified rice campaign program was to bring it's awareness to Nigerian populace for them to know the difference between the ordinary rice and the micro fortified rice.
He said with the acceptability test, Kebbi would be first to produce and eat micro fortified rice in the country. "After this acceptability test program we will take the feed back to the federal government.
"It's expected that rice millers in the state would start producing fortified rice. And it would be integrated in the school feeding program of the government so that school children and households can now eat fortified rice and stay healthy", he said.
Earlier, the State Coordinator of GAIN, Seun Elere stated that 23 Schools were selected to participate in the cooking and eating demonstration in three venues of Argungu, Birnin Kebbi and Gwadangwaji with about 500 pupils, students, Teachers and parents participating.
While making his remark, Dr Yusuf of federal University Birnin Kebbi said It was observed that Kebbi and Sokoto State have large number of malnourished children. He said with the introduction of the fortified rice in the state and by extension in Nigeria would help to tackle challenge of malnutrition and anaemia.
"About 40 percent are said to be suffering from anaemia in kebbi with the fortified rice, the number will educe and more people will live healthier life," he said.
In her address, Wife of Kebbi State Deputy Governor ,Maryam Umar Tafida commended Gain, WFP for fortified rice initiative. She said it came at the right time as people of the state can now eat rice that contain the necessary nutrients needed to keep the body safe from disease
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