By Our Correspondent
The Federal College of Agricultural Produce Technology (FCAPT), in collaboration with Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) has trained stakeholders in Kano on the adoption and utilization of the Orange-fleshed Sweet Potato (OFSP) into various products to promote healthy living among the citizens and ensure food security.
The Provost of FCAPT, Dr. Muhammad Yusha’u Gwaram, while addressing the gathering to declare the event open, underscored the benefits of Orange Fleshed Sweet Potato, which the College resolved to explore the opportunities to further achieve food nutrition and food security.
Dr. Gwaram said that the primary objective of the training was to create a forum for the stakeholders in the Potato Value Chain to put forward the realization of the fullest potentials lurking in Potato Production, Processing and utilization.
According to him, the aim of bringing the stakeholders together was for them “to become the champions in the act of value addition and product development from Orange-fleshed Sweet Potato (OFSP)”.
He said the health benefits cannot be overemphasized as it is known to have enough nutritional value, and also help boost the immune system of the body.
“We, therefore, urged all stakeholders to cooperate with our institutions to ensure orange-fleshed sweet potato receive a boost in the agricultural sector, thereby adding it into our day-to-day usage to increase food security in Nigeria”, the Provost said.
The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) representative, Abdullahi Safiyanu Madugu said they came up with the idea of purposely supporting farmers of root and tuber association, to help them boost the production of Orange-fleshed Sweet Potato (OFSP) as a substitute to wheat flour which is not affordable to processors.
Madugu explained that Orange-fleshed Sweet Potato (OFSP) has high beta carotene content which is a precursor of Vitamin A that makes it adequate for food to boost the immune system of the elderly and helps in combating Vitamin A Deficiency (VAD) among children.
Also speaking, the Vice Chairman, Agro-allied Nigerian Association of Small-Scale Industrialists (NASSI), Bello Gambo Kura, said their association will fully support the innovation as the product contains nutritional benefits to consumers.
Kura added that their association was ready to utilize the wealth potential of processing Orange-fleshed Sweet Potato (OFSP) into various confectioneries such as Chin-chin, juice, biscuits, cake, flour, bread among others through their branches nationwide.
One of the beneficiaries of the training, Aisha Sani Haruna, said they will extend the knowledge learned to their various areas, and farmers association for the benefit of others that did not get the opportunity to attend the training.
