Harvestplus, a CGIAR partner company, is putting together a first-of-its-kind food fair tagged, Nutritious Food Fair 2015 on November 4 and 5, 2015 In Abuja.
An estimated more than 1 million visitors are expected to visit the Nutritious Food Fair with the theme, “Closing The Nutrition Gap: Prospects For Biofortified Foods,” taking place at the IITA Kubwa Station by the Water Corporation.
Organisers said its most significant objective is to create massive public awareness about the need to eat healthy, nutritious foods. They have already researched and produced Vitamin A cassava known as the Yellow cassava and Vitamin A maize.
Consequently, the event will see a gathering of major stakeholders and producers in the Vitamin A cassava and maize value chain, government agencies, NGOs, Agroprenuers and investors at the 2-day event.
The organisers said 10 other African countries will also be in attendance as well participants from the US and the Caribbean.
There will be seminars, exhibitions of a variety of nutritious foods and, to this end, some notable Nollywood female stars, music stars and comedians will be adding spice to the event by helping to create awareness about good nutrition.
Ms Ifeoma Okonkwo, Head of Events and Marketing, Harvestplus in a statement said that about 30% of Nigerian children from age 5 are Vitamin A-deficient and that the country loses approximately $1.5 billion in GDP to vitamins and minerals deficiency.
Okonkwo assured visitors to the food fair that they will gain a lot in terms of shared learning, networking and creating value from their experiences and there will top class entertainment as well.
She said Nollywood stars will take part in a soup-cooking contest as part of the many activities lined up at the event.