IFAD introduces complimentary diet for babies in Zamfara -- Officer

IFAD introduces complimentary diet for babies in Zamfara -- Officer

The Gender Officer of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Mrs Rabi Abdullahi, says the Fund has introduced complimentary diet for babies in the rural areas of Zamfara State in the North west of Nigeria.

Mrs Abdullahi told newsmen in Nasarawa State, North Central Nigeria, venue of the just concluded National Agricultural Show, that the diet was specially meant for malnourished children aged between six months and five years.

Abdullahi said the complimentary diet, made up of millet, soya beans and groundnut, was highly nutritious and affordable to parents as it cost a mere N10 for a small sachet.

Alternative to imported baby food

The IFAD official said the Fund had recommended the diet to other states in the country to serve as an alternative to imported baby food and to improve on the quality of food consumed by babies in the rural areas.

“We produce the diet and sell to local communities because many of them do not eat balanced diet.

“The complimentary diet is also good for pregnant women and nursing mothers due to its nutritional values,'' she said.

Home-made diet

Mrs Abdullahi said many of the children placed on the diet in rural communities in Zamfara state were now looking healthy.

She added ing that some mothers had been trained to produce the diet but stressed that the lack of good roads and market outlets were major challenges facing farmers in the state.

This year's agricultural show had as its theme, "Towards a Sustainable Agricultural Transformation'' and was organised by the National Agricultural Foundation of Nigeria.

Hauwa Anaja Abu/agency reports