Stakeholders in Kano State have called for adopting Parboiled Unpolished Rice, commonly known as brown rice, into the state’s school feeding programme.

According to a statement, key government officials, school administrators, and education stakeholders advocated incorporating brown rice for its nutritional and economic benefits.

TechnoServe Nigeria collaborated with the Kano State Ministry of Education to organise a sensitisation and sensory evaluation event promoting brown rice for school feeding.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Budget and Planning, Abdulmumin Ajumawa, assured that the government would continue supporting TechnoServe’s initiatives to enhance food security and student well-being. He stated that the Ministry of Education remained committed to working with TechnoServe on the project.

TechnoServe’s Country Director, Adesuwa Akinboro, represented by a project management official Ava Bawa, reaffirmed the organisation’s dedication to improving nutrition in school feeding, stating “We are committed to working closely with the Ministry of Education to ensure better food security and student health.”

Special Adviser to the Governor on School Feeding, Umar Muss, recognised the initiative’s significance and pledged to escalate discussions to the Commissioner for Education and the Kano State Governor for possible policy adoption.

Experts at the event highlighted brown rice’s high fibre content and essential minerals, noting its long-term health benefits for students.

The organisers conducted a sensory evaluation exercise where school principals and other stakeholders tasted two different recipes prepared with brown rice.

According to the statement, the feedback was positive, with participants stating that brown rice’s appearance was not visibly different from white rice.

The organisers added that the initiative aligns with the National Homegrown School Feeding Programme’s goal of providing nutritious meals to public primary school pupils.