The importance of Groundnut.

  For many who were part of the groundnut diets show in Sokoto, it was an enriching experience.

The occasion was not only a platform to discover novel recipes, it also provided the opportunity to   learn about the health benefits of groundnuts and groundnut based products. 

It was put together by the Feed the Future Nigeria Livelihood Project, International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and the Catholic Relief Services (CRS).

The unique exhibition had a mélange of food, drinks and snacks in which groundnut was used as a primary ingredient. It was a showcase of the very best of home-cooked fare.

On display were groundnut vegetable soup, groundnut pap, groundnut paste/butter, groundnut bread, groundnut cake, groundnut cookies, groundnut doughnut, groundnut-rice pap, roasted groundnut, boiled groundnut among others.

It was a free cuisine tasting event and participants who were rapt by the assorted  foods put on show, indulged themselves in the groundnut banquet.

“It was such a striking showing of array of groundnut based products, indicative of the resourcefulness of the brains behind them,” Malama Aisha, one of the attendees said.

Some others present at the event variously described the groundnut regimes as enticing, tasty, delectable, appetizing and scrumptious, among other mouth-watering adjectives.

    Among the points underscored at the mega demonstration were that groundnut and groundnut-based snacks provide healthier alternatives to empty calories and fatty snacks due to their nutritional contents. 

It was also noted that groundnut cereal pap is ideal as complementary feeding for babies six to 12 months and adult members of the family notably the elderly as it contains  high levels of vitamin A.

 Participants were not only treated to a wide-range of groundnut diets to relish, they were presented with copies of a nutrition guide which is noted to be full of ideas for a healthier life style.

The ‘Cook’s Guide for Smart Groundnut and Groundnut-based Products for Improved Nutrition in Nigeria’ was launched at the occasion. 

Contributors to the development of the book included representatives of International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Institute for Agricultural Research, Ahmadu Bello University (IAR/ABU), Women Farmers Advancement Network (WOFAN), Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and e-Health Africa.

“Groundnut plays a vital nutritional role in the diet of many Africans since it has high protein content and healthy fats. Groundnut has all the benefits of a perfect fruit - it competes with fruits in its contribution to our diet and health. 

“Groundnut provides five essential nutrients: energy, protein, phosphorous, thiamine and niacin,” they pointed out in the smart groundnut grub guide.

According to them, the health benefits of groundnuts align well with the different ways it can be consumed, adding that it contributes to the recommended levels of food requirements to the body.

“However, the small size of nuts can be misleading, but collectively, they provide fat for our hearts thereby reducing the risks of heart-related diseases; protein required for replacement and/or repair of the cells of our bodies; antioxidants that protect our hearts and decrease invasion by diseases; minerals needed by our bodies to function and minimize the risks of heart deficient diseases; vitamins required by our body cells and development of tissues,” the contributors said.

They however cautioned that groundnut is susceptible to mold and fungal invasions as well as their attendant health risks.

“The main concern is aflatoxin, a poison produced by a fungus called Aspergillus flavus which can be very toxic; causing new growths that are found in the skin or the lining body organ. 

“Best practices such as improved farm management, storage and processing technique are known to reduce (or even) eliminate the risk of aflatoxin contamination,” they stated.

Feed the Future Nigeria Livelihood Project’s Ag. COP, Dr Azeez Oseni, said the event was part of efforts to raise awareness and demonstrate the nutritional and health benefits of consuming aflatoxin-free groundnuts.

He had this to say about the guide: “Though the document is a handy reference for staff working with local governments, Women in Agriculture (WIA), units of ADPs, and other field based staff, it can also be used by nutrition conscious individuals and families.”

Country Project Manager, Nigeria USAID Groundnut Up-scaling Project, Michael Boboh Vabi, said it was aimed at enhancing awareness and knowledge about the importance of consuming groundnuts and groundnut based products.