Imo State Agro Dealers have been urged to increase their intake of Biofortified with Vitamin A maize and distribute same for healthy living.
Speaking during a one day workshop on the importance of Biofortified with Vitamin A maize and key issues in the seeds distribution during the 2022 planting season, organized for agro dealers held in Owerri, the the Commercialization of Biofortified Crops (CBC) implementing partner in Imo State and the program Director Foundation for Livelihood Advancement, Elder Kenneth Amogu noted that the CBC project is taking place in eight states with Imo focusing on Vitamin A Maize (VAM), adding that the project is with support from Harvestplus and GAIN. He called on the agro dealers to continue to focus on vitamin A maize and other Biofortified crops. He hinted that the essence of the workshop was for for them to network and share knowledge and ideas on where and how to get their products.
He stated that the CBC project is supported by Harvestplus and GAIN, stressing that they remain very grateful to them for the support.
In his presentation, the Director, Technical Services, Imo ADP, Nnaemeka Ononaiwu posited that biofortified vitamin A maize boosts the immune function, it helps to prevent childhood blindness and vitamin D deficiency, it helps in brain development, especially that it is required for normal growth and development and reproduction.
Ononaiwu said that the role of the agro dealers is to procure the varieties, maintain quality, keep seeds alive, create community outlets and collaborate with other partners. He urged them to make sure that they take the materials to the farmers in the rural areas so that they can grow and eat vitamin A maize.
In his goodwill message, the BOT of Foundation for Livelihood Advancement, Rev. Dr. G. S. Adaka encouraged the agro dealers to ensure that the Biofortified with Vitamin A maize gets to the communities especially that the knowledge of the vitamin A maize is lacking there. He urged the agro dealers to continue to pass the message of taking Biofortified with Vitamin A maize to all and sundry until everyone in the state begins to consume and plant the crops for healthy living.
