The Oyo State Government has announced plans to partner research institutes, farmers, agricultural cooperatives and corporate organisations to showcase the agricultural, nutritional, economic and health benefits of amala, one of the most popular delicacies associated with Yoruba culture.
The state Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Toye Arulogun, disclosed this while speaking on the forthcoming Amala Fiesta, describing food tourism as an important component of the tourism industry.
Arulogun said the three-day fiesta, scheduled to hold from December 15 to 17, 2016, at Trans Amusement Park, Ibadan, would provide a platform to promote amala as not only a cultural delicacy but also an agricultural and economic asset.
According to him, the event, themed “From the Farm to the Table,” would bring together relevant stakeholders to explore the journey of amala from agricultural production to consumption, while highlighting its nutritional and health benefits.
He disclosed that the state government was partnering the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), Moore Plantation, Ibadan, and the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), alongside agricultural cooperatives under the Ministry of Trade, Cooperatives and Investment.
Farmers, OANDO Energy and the Nigeria Bottling Company (NBC) were also listed among the organisations expected to support the successful hosting of the event.
Arulogun said the fiesta was being organised by the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism in conjunction with Tourist Care, the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Nigeria (TCHAN), the Ministry of Local Government, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Canteen Owners Association of Nigeria.
He described amala as a major cultural asset that had moved beyond its traditional Yoruba roots to become widely accepted across Nigeria and in other parts of the world.
“Amala Fiesta, also known as Ajodun Oka, is not just a food and cultural tourism event, but a celebration of the Yoruba food culture,” Arulogun said.
He stressed that culture and tourism could become significant sources of revenue for states that deliberately developed and promoted the sector.
According to the commissioner, the state government was committed to preserving its cultural heritage, promoting its tourism attractions and creating economic opportunities through cultural and food tourism.
He said the Amala Fiesta would also provide opportunities for farmers and other players along the agricultural value chain to showcase their products and potentially expand their markets.
“Amala Fiesta will be used to create wealth, empower farmers, showcase different types of related agricultural produce and promote the health benefits of the delicacy,” he said.
Arulogun added that the government’s research into amala had identified several potential health benefits associated with the delicacy, including its possible role in supporting healthy living.
“Based on our findings, we discovered that amala lowers cancer risks, builds the immune system, is good for diabetic patients, improves eyesight and helps in weight loss,” he said.
He explained that the fiesta was designed partly to educate the public about nutritional and health issues surrounding amala, while also drawing attention to the agricultural resources required for its production.
“These are some of the benefits that our people do not know and we have invited stakeholders who will x-ray the health, economic, nutritional and agricultural values of amala to the whole world during the three-day food tourism event,” the commissioner added.
The initiative, according to the state government, was expected to position amala more prominently within Oyo State’s cultural tourism agenda while creating a platform for interaction among farmers, researchers, food entrepreneurs, hospitality operators and consumers.
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