Stakeholders in the medical field have emphasized the importance of fortifying rice to provide essential micronutrients to the Nigerian population. At a high-level stakeholders roundtable on rice fortification in Lagos, experts discussed the potential impact of this strategy on combating anaemia, particularly among women and children.
Seun Elere, the Project Coordinator of Rice Fortification at the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition, highlighted the prevalence of anaemia in Nigeria, citing the National Demographics and Health Survey of 2018. He stressed the significance of fortifying rice with iron, folic acid, and B12 to address this issue, especially in rural communities.
Elere explained, “The fortification of rice with essential micronutrients can help reduce the prevalence of anaemia, which poses significant risks for maternal and prenatal health, including maternal mortality, premature birth, and low birth weight.”
Ms Leonie van der Stijl, the Deputy Consul General of the Netherlands in Lagos, emphasized that unfortified rice offers limited nutritional value and advocated for fortifying rice to prevent anaemia, particularly in women who experience monthly blood loss and during pregnancy.
Dr. John Uruakpa from the Federal Ministry of Health highlighted the government’s commitment to addressing anaemia through rice fortification. He pointed out that over 90% of families in Nigeria consume rice, making it a strategic vehicle for delivering essential nutrients to the population.
The Federal Government of Nigeria, in collaboration with international organizations such as the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition and the United Nations World Food Programme, has sanctioned the inclusion of supplements for food fortification to tackle micronutrient deficiency in Nigeria. This initiative aims to enhance the adoption and expansion of rice fortification to improve public health.
Furthermore, a partnership between Dutch-funded program HortiNigeria, Greenport Nigeria, and Nigerian agricultural organizations seeks to introduce innovative solutions to strengthen Nigeria’s horticulture sector, aiming to bolster agribusiness growth in the country.
