Ibadan- In a bid to fight hidden hunger, increase demand and consumption of nutritious food, Harvestplus, an international organisation, plans to hold nutritious food fair in Calabar.
The Harvestplus Country Manager, Dr Paul Ilona, who announced the plan in Ibadan on Saturday, described hidden hunger as the lack of necessary nutrients.
Harvestplus is an organisation that is committed to improve nutrition and public health by developing and promoting biofortified food crops that are rich in vitamins and minerals.
The organisation which is part of the Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research, provides global leadership in biofortification evidence and technology.
Ilona said to achieve its goal, the organisation aimed to promote and encourage investment in the nutritious food sector.
He said the essence of the food fair was to showcase opportunities for youth employment in the nutritious food sector.
“The Food Fair with the theme ‘Multisectoral Partnerships to Promote More Nutritious Crops and Foods’’, will hold from Nov.9 to Nov. 11 in Calabar, Ilona said. .
“Packaged to stimulate robust engagement around nutrition and food security, the fair will bring together stakeholders in the food, agric and input sectors, including government representatives, farmers.
“Attractions at the event include exhibition of nutrient-rich crop varieties and their food derivatives; commercially processed nutritious foods; local technologies for cassava and maize processing,” he said.
Ilona urged Nigerians to eat nutritious foods to reduce hidden hunger, have good health and make more progress.
“You are what you eat, essential food nutrients such as vitamin A, iron and zinc are very important for the fitness of the body.
“So all hands should be on deck to fight malnutrition, not only the duty of the government,” he said.