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 Preferences Lack of Fuel 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 food-grade 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. Improve the quality of gari through fortification/enrichment with protein, vitamins and minerals. Improve safety and hygiene along the gari value chain.

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!