The Gombe State Government says it is determined to curb widespread malnutrition among children through school gardening engagement.
Disclosing this during an advocacy meeting to strengthen a collaboration between the Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria and the state’s Ministry of Education, the Commissioner for Education, Dr Aishatu Maigari, noted that the government has prioritised nutrition-focused initiatives, particularly school gardening.
She said, “We are not just focused on classroom education. We also prioritise the overall well-being of our students. That is why we have introduced nutrition clubs, school gardening, and forestry programmes in schools.”
Explaining further, Maigari disclosed that these initiatives “engage both boys and girls, equipping them with farming skills and knowledge on preparing nutritious meals using locally sourced produce,” she added.
The commissioner added that selected secondary schools are being supported to produce Tom Brown, a complementary food used to tackle malnutrition.
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Dr Barnabas Malle, reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to addressing malnutrition, saying, “As a key stakeholder in this fight, we are committed to providing the expertise and resources needed to ensure the success of CSSUNN’s initiatives.”
Malle also revealed that the ministry had launched the Young Farmers Clubs in five secondary schools, providing students with hands-on agricultural skills to promote food security and improved nutrition.
CSSUNN’s State Coordinator, Mrs Comfort Amos Mukollo, emphasised the importance of partnerships in achieving sustainable nutrition interventions, saying, “We are advocating for the establishment of school gardening and nutrition clubs. We need the support of key ministries to ensure sustained efforts in tackling malnutrition in Gombe State.”
