A nutritionist, Mrs Maryam Abdullahi, has advised households in Nigeria to embrace preservation techniques to prevent food losses and malnutrition.
Abdullahi, a Nutrition officer, at Bauchi State Specialists Hospital, advised on Wednesday, in an interview in Bauchi.
She said that food preservation should be advocated to sustain healthy feeding throughout the year.
According to her, perishable goods, vegetables and grains if preserved under hygienic conditions would provide children and pregnant mothers with essential nutrients.
“We should create awareness on food preservation methods for women.
”This will pave the way for households to consume nutritional food throughout the year without relying on grains only.
”We have women in agriculture and other experts that can guide us on best methods.
”Issues around nutrition need a holistic approach from all stakeholders in the state; so storing such items will be a solution, instead of consuming them only during their seasons,” she said.
Abdullah observed that civil society organisations were doing more on political and social advocacy.
According to her, rather they should focus on promoting backyard farming, particularly to communities with adequate sources of water.
The officer criticised over dependence on the Ready to Use Therapeutic Food distributed by some government agencies.
”People rely on RUTF; and instead of the mothers to embrace the local menus we always teach and practicalise during clinic days, but they still rely on the the supply by government,” she said.
NAN
