Nutrition Food Safety and Hygiene GARI REVOLUTION DISCUSSION

Nutrition, Food Safety and Hygiene GARI REVOLUTION DISCUSSION GROUP

Challenges to Nutrition �Consumer acceptance of improved nutritional gari formulations �Cost implications of fortification �Nutrition messaging aimed at women of childbearing age, adolescents and children of weaning age

Challenges to Food Safety �Processing Practices Ø Preferences Ø Lack of Fuel Ø Proper washing of tubers • Presence of pathogenic organisms during fermentation

Challenges with Hygiene �Personal hygiene of processors, including protective gear �Washing of tubers with feet, leaving to dry on floors �Availability of clean water for washing �Proper disposal of waste water �Cleanliness of processing equipment �Proper storage techniques �Proper packaging �Cleanliness at point of sale

What we know/What tools are available Nutrition �May need studies to clearly understand the level of consumption of gari per capita �Lack of knowledge of fortified food intake across the regions �We know there is a high level of malnutrition across the West African region in children under 5, adolescents and women of childbearing age �Various policies and programs have been implemented to address issues that persist

What we know/What tools are available – Food Safety &Hygiene �Current administration is implementing policies to address issues in nutrition and food safety �CODEX standards for gari have been established �There are many small producers of gari who needs organization in order to advance fortification efforts �Efforts are in place to address the use of non foodgrade equipment being used in production

What we know/What tools are available – Food Safety and Hygiene �Processing technologies are available �Hygiene is generally very poor in processing environments

Knowledge Gaps, Questions and Key Issues �Gari consumption levels by zone or region need to be researched �Gari production levels by zone or region need to be researched �Appropriate knowledge transfer �Why soy fortified gari never took off in Nigeria after years of promotion and is currently not in the market �Need for gari fortification technology

Way Forward with the Gari Revolution �Who is on board moving forward? All participants in the group are willing to help moving forward -Adeyinka Onabolu, Francis Aminu, Leticia Amoakoah, Busie Maziya-Dixon, Josh Neiderman, Wasiu Awoyale, Noli Jocson

Way Forward with the Gari Revolution �How should we network with other people? Outreach to Policy Makers in: � Ministry of Health (Food and Drugs) � Ministry of Agriculture � Ministry of Women’s Affairs � Ministry of Environment � Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment � NAFDAC, SON

Way Forward with the Gari Revolution �Business opportunities include: International and Regional trade Federal Ministry of Women’s Affairs Zero reject export group LIFE project Ministry of Extension Office of VP – School Feeding SUN business network Post Harvest Alliance for Nutrition National Committee on Food and Nutrition Ministry of Budget and National Planning

Way Forward with the Gari Revolution �Key gender and equity dimensions to be considered: Nutrition of women gari processors Use Behavior Change Communication strategies to promote food security Diet diversification promotion Consideration for various socio-economic groups

Resource Mobilization �IFAD, through the Ministry of Agriculture office (concept paper/ proposal should be ready) �USAID �Gates Foundation

Targets for Implementation of the Roadmap Promote Gari as a food and nutrition security commodity. 2. Improve the quality of gari through fortification/enrichment with protein, vitamins and minerals. 3. Improve safety and hygiene along the gari value chain. 1.

Action Plans for Implementation of the Roadmap 1. Promote Gari as a food and nutrition security commodity � Raise awareness of the benefit of gari for food and nutrition security � Conduct consumer acceptability of gari � Explore the potential of gari as a vehicle for food fortification � Provide the economic, technical, and research information needed for policy development. � Educate high-level policy makers to support the initiative.

Action Plans for Implementation of the Roadmap 2. Improve the quality of gari through fortification/enrichment with protein, vitamins and minerals. � Establish & advocate for the need to improve the nutrient intake of the population; � Develop & implement standards & appropriate legislation; � Set program goals & objectives; � Build partnerships (e. g. alliances) and conduct targeted advocacy; � Set up & implement compliance and enforcement framework and plans; � Procure equipment & premix coupled with training; � Initiate production & distribution of fortified gari. � Develop & implement social marketing and communication strategy; � Develop & implement monitoring system, measure impact & program effectiveness.

Action Plans for Implementation of the Roadmap 3. Improve safety and hygiene along the Gari value chain. � Develop/update guidelines for safe processing, handling and transportation of gari � Scale up the use of modern/improved processing and storage techniques and technologies; � Behaviour Change Communication Strategy

Thanks!