Kano, Nigeria – Stakeholders in Kano State have called for the adoption of brown rice into school feeding menus, following a successful sensitization and sensory evaluation exercise hosted by TechnoServe Nigeria in collaboration with the Kano State Ministry of Education.
The event, held at Tahir Guest Palace, brought together key government officials, school administrators, and education stakeholders to promote the integration of Parboiled Unpolished Rice (PUR) brown rice into school feeding programme.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Budget & Planning, Abdulmumin Ladan Ajumawa expressed the government’s continued support for TechnoServe’s initiatives, particularly in promoting food security and student well-being, saying that the Ministry of Education also reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with TechnoServe.
The Country Director, Adesuwa Akinboro, represented by WAPFUR Project manager, Ava Bawa welcomed participants and emphasized TechnoServe’s dedication to improving nutrition in school feeding programme.
She further reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to collaborating with the Ministry of Education to promote food security and student well-being.
Special Adviser to the Governor on School Feeding, Umar Muss acknowledged the significance of the initiative and assured participants that he would escalate the discussion to the Commissioner for Education and the Governor of Kano State for potential policy adoption.
The event featured expert presentations on the nutritional and economic benefits of PUR brown rice, including its high fiber content, essential minerals, and long-term health advantages for students.
A sensory evaluation exercise was also conducted, where school principals and other education stakeholders tasted and assessed two Parboiled Unpolished brown rice recipes. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with participants noting no visible difference between the brown rice and white rice in terms of physical appearance.
The adoption of brown rice into school feeding menus was expected to have a positive impact on the health and well-being of students in Kano State, aligning with the National Homegrown School Feeding Programme’s goal of providing nutritious meals to public primary school pupils.