The CASCADE (Catalysing Strengthened Policy for Healthy Diets and Resilience) Project has established nutrition corners and gardens in primary healthcare centres across five local government areas in Jigawa.

CASCADE representative Gara Alheri disclosed this shortly after facilitating a cooking demonstration session for selected women at Harbo Tsohuwa PHC in Jahun LGA on Tuesday.

The CASCADE Project is being jointly implemented by CARE International in Nigeria and GAIN.

The official stated that the overall objective of the initiative was to improve the nutritional intake of women of reproductive age and children under the age of 15.

According to Ms Alheri, the goal is to empower women with practical skills to prepare healthy meals and curb the widespread malnutrition affecting many communities.

“The major idea behind this initiative is to teach women how to prepare nutritious meals with ingredients available in their own communities. It also ensures that they don’t have to wait for supplies from outside their areas,” Ms Alheri said.

She added that the benefiting women were expected to pass on the knowledge to others in their households and communities.

Ms Alheri listed the five implementing LGAs as Jahun, Ringim, Kiyawa, Dutse, and Kafin Hausa.

During the demonstration, the women were trained on how to prepare nutritious meals using locally sourced ingredients.

According to her, okro, pepper, tomato, orange-fleshed sweet potato, and boma sika are among the vegetables planted in the gardens.

“It is very important for women, especially pregnant mothers, to eat nutritious food. At the nutrition corners, activities such as nutrition education, malnutrition counselling, and growth monitoring will take place when women come for checkups and antenatal care.

“They will also engage in food demonstrations during those sessions. The vegetables and crops planted are the same ones we are promoting under the CASCADE Project and will be used during cooking demonstrations at the PHCs,” Ms Alheri said.

Additionally, the officer in charge of Urban Maternity Hospital, Jahun, Shamsiyya Abdullahi, advised participants not to overlook local food items and vegetables, emphasizing that proper preparation helps preserve vital nutrients.

Ms Abdullahi specifically urged the women to avoid using potash and excessive salt, warning that both could negatively affect pregnancy. The officer, who commended the Project for the initiative, noted that the intervention would go a long way in improving the nutrition of women and pregnant mothers in the area.

Similarly, the officer-in-charge of the PHC, Muhammad Inuwa, applauded the Project for establishing the nutrition corner and garden. Mr Inuwa promised to ensure they are used effectively for the benefit of mothers and children in the community.

According to him, the initiative will help reduce child malnutrition, not only in the area but also across the state.

(NAN)