The National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA) says it will take its food safety campaign to schools and abattoirs to promote food safety, nutrition and responsible food handling.
The agency’s Director-General, Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, said public awareness and the practical application of scientific knowledge were essential to addressing food-related challenges.
He spoke at a rally on Friday in Abuja to mark World Food Day.
The event was organised by the agency’s Food and Industrial Biotechnology Department.
He said the agency had identified schools and abattoirs as strategic partners in food safety advocacy.
He said the agency was marking the occasion with a dedicated programme for the first time, describing it as an opportunity to strengthen public engagement on food security and nutrition.
“World Food Day is more than a celebration of food. It is a call to examine the challenges affecting food availability, affordability, safety and nutrition,” Mustapha said.
He explained that the school sensitisation programmes were designed to help young people understand healthy eating, food safety and the importance of making informed dietary choices.
According to him, early engagement could help shape food habits among students and encourage them to appreciate the contribution of science and innovation to food production and public health.
Mustapha said visits to abattoirs also provided opportunities to draw attention to meat hygiene, appropriate handling practices and the management of waste generated during food processing.
He said that improving food security required attention not only to production but also to preservation, processing, distribution and the prevention of avoidable losses.
The Director-General said the agency’s Food and Industrial Biotechnology Department had also included discussions on food innovation, preservation, nutrition and food loss and waste in the programme.
He said biotechnology could support efforts to improve crop varieties, address pests and diseases, enhance food processing and promote the productive use of biological resources.
He further said that NBRDA’s research in agricultural biotechnology, including tissue culture and biotechnology-derived crops, formed part of its contribution to addressing agricultural production challenges.
Muatapha also called for stronger collaboration among research institutions, farmers, food businesses and government agencies to ensure that scientific findings translated into practical benefits.
He also urged Nigerians to minimise food waste, observe proper food-handling practices and make informed dietary choices, stressing that food security was a collective responsibility.(NAN)
