1. Nutrition, Food Safety and Hygiene
Gari Revolution discussion group

2. Challenges to Nutrition
Consumer acceptance of improved nutritional gari formulations
Cost implications of fortification
Nutrition messaging aimed at women of childbearing age, adolescents and children of weaning age

3. Challenges to Food Safety
Processing Practices
Preferences
Lack of Fuel
Proper washing of tubers
Presence of pathogenic organisms during fermentation

4. Challenges with Hygiene
Personal hygiene of processors, including protective gear
Washing of tubers with feet, leaving to dry on floors
Availability of clean water for washing
Proper disposal of waste water
Cleanliness of processing equipment
Proper storage techniques
Proper packaging
Cleanliness at point of sale

5. What we know/What tools are available -Nutrition
May need studies to clearly understand the level of consumption of gari per capita
Lack of knowledge of fortified food intake across the regions
We know there is a high level of malnutrition across the West African region in children under 5, adolescents and women of childbearing age
Various policies and programs have been implemented to address issues that persist

6. What we know/What tools are available – Food Safety &Hygiene
Current administration is implementing policies to address issues in nutrition and food safety
CODEX standards for gari have been established
There are many small producers of gari who needs organization in order to advance fortification efforts
Efforts are in place to address the use of non food-grade equipment being used in production

7. What we know/What tools are available – Food Safety and Hygiene
Processing technologies are available
Hygiene is generally very poor in processing environments

8. Knowledge Gaps, Questions and Key Issues
Gari consumption levels by zone or region need to be researched
Gari production levels by zone or region need to be researched
Appropriate knowledge transfer
Why soy fortified gari never took off in Nigeria after years of promotion and is currently not in the market
Need for gari fortification technology

9. Way Forward with the Gari Revolution
Who is on board moving forward?
All participants in the group are willing to help moving forward
-Adeyinka Onabolu, Francis Aminu, Leticia Amoakoah, Busie Maziya-Dixon, Josh Neiderman, Wasiu Awoyale, Noli Jocson

10. Way Forward with the Gari Revolution
How should we network with other people?
Outreach to Policy Makers in:
Ministry of Health (Food and Drugs)
Ministry of Agriculture
Ministry of Women’s Affairs
Ministry of Environment
Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment
NAFDAC, SON

11. Way Forward with the Gari Revolution
Business opportunities include:
International and Regional trade
Federal Ministry of Women’s Affairs
Zero reject export group
LIFE project
Ministry of Extension
Office of VP – School Feeding
SUN business network
Post Harvest Alliance for Nutrition
National Committee on Food and Nutrition
Ministry of Budget and National Planning

12. Way Forward with the Gari Revolution
Key gender and equity dimensions to be considered:
Nutrition of women gari processors
Use Behavior Change Communication strategies to promote food security
Diet diversification promotion
Consideration for various socio-economic groups

13. Resource Mobilization
IFAD, through the Ministry of Agriculture office (concept paper/ proposal should be ready)
USAID
Gates Foundation

14. Targets for Implementation of the Roadmap
Promote Gari as a food and nutrition security commodity.
Improve the quality of gari through fortification/enrichment with protein, vitamins and minerals.
Improve safety and hygiene along the gari value chain.

15. Action Plans for Implementation of the Roadmap
1. Promote Gari as a food and nutrition security commodity
Raise awareness of the benefit of gari for food and nutrition security
Conduct consumer acceptability of gari
Explore the potential of gari as a vehicle for food fortification
Provide the economic, technical, and research information needed for policy development.
Educate high-level policy makers to support the initiative.

16. Action Plans for Implementation of the Roadmap
2. Improve the quality of gari through fortification/enrichment with protein, vitamins and minerals.
Establish & advocate for the need to improve the nutrient intake of the population;
Develop & implement standards & appropriate legislation;
Set program goals & objectives;
Build partnerships (e.g. alliances) and conduct targeted advocacy;
Set up & implement compliance and enforcement framework and plans;
Procure equipment & premix coupled with training;
Initiate production & distribution of fortified gari.
Develop & implement social marketing and communication strategy;
Develop & implement monitoring system, measure impact & program effectiveness.

17. Action Plans for Implementation of the Roadmap
3. Improve safety and hygiene along the Gari value chain.
Develop/update guidelines for safe processing, handling and transportation of gari
Scale up the use of modern/improved processing and storage techniques and technologies;
Behaviour Change Communication Strategy

18. Thanks!