The State Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Hon. Olufunmilayo Efuwape, has identified the importance of parboiled unpolished rice aka brown rice for human consumption, especially for children, in meeting their nutritional requirements for optimal growth and development.

The Commissioner gave the remarks while delivering her speech during the roundtable Multistakeholder engagement for the West Africa Fortified Parboiled Unpolished Rice (WAFPUR) project, organized in collaboration with TechnoServe Nigeria at the Park Inn by Radisson in Abeokuta, noting that the adoption of consumption of parboiled unpolished rice for children under the Homegrown School Feeding program in the state cannot be overemphasized and describing the state as one of the implementers of the program.

In her welcome address, Mrs. Adesuwa Akinboro, the Country Director of TechnoServe Nigeria, articulated TechnoServe’s overarching mission to empower individuals in the developing world by establishing and nurturing businesses that effectively break the cycle of poverty. She expounded on the WAFPUR project, emphasizing its vital role in addressing malnutrition and creating palpable economic opportunities for local rice producers, farmers, and millers. Mrs. Akinboro expressed gratitude for the synergistic collaborations and unwavering support from a diverse array of partners, including government agencies, local organizations, and international stakeholders.

Furthermore, Mrs. Akinboro underscored the pivotal contribution of Ogun State, highlighting its steadfast support, which substantially contributed to the successful implementation of the project. She also underscored the critical role of the project in producing and fortifying parboiled, unpolished rice, thereby addressing malnutrition and fostering community development.

The Project Manager, Ms. Ava Bawa, while giving an overview of the project, explained that the WAFPUR project aims to improve the production and consumption of nutritious alternatives like the Brown rice aka Parboiled Unpolished Rice, as well as improve the incomes of local rice millers. The presentation emphasized the importance of fortified parboiled unpolished rice in combating malnutrition and urged participants to change perceptions about brown rice, highlighting its nutritional benefits.

While highlighting the overview of the Homegrown School Feeding program, the State Program Manager, Mrs. Olayinka Akinlade, stated that the aim behind the program was to deliver a cost-effective feeding program to the public primary pupils using locally made foods by the smallholder farmers within the communities.

Mrs. Akinlade noted that pupils benefit more from nutritious and balanced school meals that reduce hunger and improve educational outcomes, adding that the initiative has changed the lives of most unemployed women in society.