The Ebonyi State Government, in partnership with Helen Keller Intl, has empowered more than 1,000 women with improved vegetable seeds and practical nutrition skills as part of efforts to combat malnutrition and strengthen household food security.
The initiative was part of activities marking World Food Day 2026, celebrated under the theme, “Innovate Today, Nourish Tomorrow.” The community-based programme was flagged off in Iboko, Izzi Local Government Area, on Friday, October 16, before extending to other local government areas across the state.
The programme focused on practical solutions to malnutrition, including nutrition education, cooking demonstrations, household gardening and the distribution of improved vegetable seeds to help families access nutritious food at affordable costs.
It attracted representatives from the state Ministries of Health, Agriculture and Women Affairs, alongside development partners, academics, civil society organisations, traditional rulers, community members, beneficiaries and journalists.
A major highlight of the event was a practical cooking demonstration that equipped women and caregivers with knowledge of preparing balanced meals using locally available and affordable food items.
Participants were taught how to combine different food groups, incorporate vegetables into family meals, maintain proper food hygiene and prepare nutritious diets suitable for children and adults.
The organisers said the activities were designed to promote healthier eating habits while helping households prevent malnutrition, particularly among vulnerable family members.
To sustain the impact of the training, the partners distributed improved seeds of amaranthus, okra and orange-fleshed sweet potato to more than 1,000 women and 64 agricultural extension workers.
The distribution is expected to encourage household vegetable gardening, improve access to fresh produce, reduce spending on vegetables and create opportunities for additional income through the sale of surplus harvests.
Beneficiaries were also trained on how to maximise available spaces around their homes for small-scale gardens and adopt good agricultural practices to improve crop production.
Speaking at the flag-off, the Head of the Nutrition Department at the Ebonyi State Ministry of Health, Cyprian Ogbonna, said the initiative highlighted the important connection between agriculture and nutrition.
He explained that households that grow the foods they consume are better positioned to improve their dietary habits and address food insecurity sustainably.
According to him, combining practical skills with access to quality seeds provides families with the tools needed to improve nutrition outcomes.
The Ebonyi State Coordinator of Helen Keller Intl, Taiwo Aladesanmi, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to tackling malnutrition by equipping mothers with the knowledge, skills and resources needed to improve family nutrition.
He noted that the organisation’s interventions include providing vegetable seeds, hygiene kits and micronutrient supplements to support healthier households.
Aladesanmi added that equipping mothers with seeds and nutrition knowledge could improve the food and nutrition security of entire families.
Community leaders and caregivers were encouraged to establish and maintain home gardens, share nutrition information with their neighbours and adopt healthier dietary practices.
They were also advised to work closely with agricultural extension workers for guidance on planting, crop management and the effective use of harvested vegetables.
The organisers emphasised that the success of the initiative would depend on the ability of participating households to apply the knowledge gained and sustain their gardening activities beyond the World Food Day celebration.
World Food Day is observed annually on October 16 to raise awareness about hunger, food security, nutrition and the need for sustainable food systems.
Through its collaboration with Helen Keller Intl, the Ebonyi State Government is promoting community-led approaches that combine agriculture, nutrition education and household food production to address malnutrition and improve access to nutritious meals.
Stay updated with Ebonyi News Network for real-time reports, in-depth analysis, and exclusive coverage of policies shaping Ebonyi State.
