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ENCOMIUMS AS HELEN KELLER INTERNATIONAL, PARTNERS DISTRIBUTE IMPROVED SEEDS TO FARMERS IN EKET

 



By Catherine Akpan


Scores of farmers in Eket Local Government Area were yesterday presented with improved agricultural seeds under the Transforming Lives Through Nutrition (TLTN) project, implemented by Helen Keller International, Vitamin Angels and iDE, funded by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 


The participants, mainly women, received high-yielding varieties of vitamin A-fortified maize, okra, and groundnut seeds after undergoing training on climate-smart and nutrition-sensitive agricultural practices aimed at improving productivity, nutrition, and household livelihoods.


Speaking before the flag-off exercise at the Council headquarters, the Programme Manager, Mr Michael Daniel described the Transforming Lives Through Nutrition as a global project implemented in twelve countries including Nigeria and the project is currently implemented in 13 States of the federation including Akwa Ibom State.


According to him, hundreds of women from the 5 LGAs in the State are currently benefiting from the various interventions areas of the programme, including the seed distribution initiative to improve the nutritional status of women and children through diverse and nutritious homestead food production, while addressing climate change-induced food security challenges, and improving nutrition, and healthy practices.




Daniel hinted that the selected farmers who were trained to grow the micronutrient-rich vegetables and fruits, have been empowered with the knowledge, skills and resources necessary for effective and sustainable homestead food production, inline with Helen Keller International's commitment to community empowerment. 

 

He said the project which is in its third year running, is aimed at addressing both immediate food security concerns and ensuring the long-term sustainability of agricultural practices while encouraging the adoption of healthier lifestyles and nutritional habits, creating a holistic impact on overall community well-being.


"At every primary healthcare centre in Akwa Ibom State, TLTN is providing multiple micronutrient supplements for pregnant women to access free of charge" he hinted. Speaking further, the Programme Manager said children who are 6 to 59 months receive vitamin A supplementation twice yearly, since the inception of the programme.


The Helen Keller team used the opportunity to commend the State Government for allowing agric extension and health workers in the State to work with the team, without which the programme may have recorded the successes so far achieved in the State.


Flagging off the seed distribution exercise, the Chairman of Eket  Local Government Council, Mkpisong Tommy Ikot thanked Helen Keller International for the numerous intervention programmes implemented in the area, which he said are inline with the policy drive of the Local Government Area.


The Council Boss who spoke through his Vice, Mrs Inyang Akpanwan called on the beneficiaries to make good use of the opportunity provided to them, while assuring that the local government area will continue to partner with Helen Keller and the sponsors to enhance food security in the area.


Speaking earlier, the Programme Manager of Akwa Ibom Agricultural Development Programme (AKADEP), Elder Emah Ekanem and Mr Ernest Awakessien, a representative from the State Ministry of Agriculture, commended Helen Keller International and its sponsors for the food systems intervention project. 


They duo, in their separate remarks, maintained that the initiative aligns with the policy direction of Governor Umo Eno to promote food production and availability in the state. To achieve the essence of the programme, the beneficiaries were tasked to consider themselves lucky, hence should utilise the golden opportunity accorded them to transform their lives and that of their families.


The Director of Agric in Eket, Mrs Uwem Ekanem and the Agric Extension Officer in the area, Mrs Scholastica Matthew in their separate remarks, poured encomiums on Helen Keller International and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for bringing the health and agricultural intervention programmes to the local government area, as they beseeched the Almighty God to bless members of the organisations in their endeavours.


Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Ms. Precious Oduenyi expressed gratitude to Helen Keller International for the positive impact of its numerous intervention programmes, which she said has helped in improving the livelihood of community members.

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