FG and IFAD Join Forces to Fix Poor Diets in Nasarawa Rural Communities

The Federal Government and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) have raised the alarm over the high rates of malnutrition across Nasarawa State, sparking a new push to ensure that every dining table in the state has a healthy meal.

At a major meeting in Lafia, officials from the Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) joined hands with state leaders to tackle what they called a “persistent crisis” of poor nutrition. Although the program has helped many farmers grow more food, experts say too many families in rural areas are still not eating the right kinds of food to stay healthy.

Dr. Eunice Adgidzi, the state coordinator for the project, explained that the goal is to make sure a balanced diet isn’t just for the wealthy. She pointed out that with the international funding for this project ending in December 2026, Nasarawa needs to stand on its own feet. She urged the state government to create a permanent law and a “nutrition budget” to keep the progress from slipping away.

The Nasarawa State House of Assembly is already jumping into action. Hon. Peter Akwe, who heads the committee on agriculture, promised that lawmakers are ready to give the plan the legal backing it needs. This would mean that even after the current project ends, the systems for checking on children’s health and helping families eat better will stay in place.

Supporting the move, the State Ministry of Agriculture confirmed it is committed to making this nutrition plan a permanent part of how the state operates. Local farmers at the event also shared how their lives have changed, but officials reminded everyone that having “full bellies” isn’t enough the focus must now be on “healthy bodies.”

By bringing together doctors, farmers, and politicians, the government is hoping to slash the number of deaths among mothers and children and turn Nasarawa into a state where healthy food is a right, not a luxury.