Advocacy and Use of Advocates as a Quick Win in Scaling Up Biofortification in Nigeria: The Case of Building Nutritious Food Basket (BNFB) Project

The Building Nutritious Food Baskets (BNFB) Project explored advocacy and the use of advocates as a model strategy for scaling up biofortification in Nigeria during its three-year implementation. In addition to direct efforts, BNFB project identified selected key personnel across disciplines, gender sectors, based on some criteria, Advocates support by raise investments, resource mobilization, inclusion relevant policy documents, strategies plans action. To realize these, 32 were empowered mainstream into their existing and/or potential programs/projects, well create awareness demand biofortified crops within spheres influence. Training retreats organized strengthen capacities promotion crops, while social platform was launched share opportunities, experiences address issues around Advocates. As result these included three national policies, strategies/plans actions with allocation, over USD3 million raised biofortification. Federal Government external governments became committed programs mainstreamed at least two Nigeria. Biofortified Home-Grown School Feeding Program states. proved be resultful advocates, upon being trained, looked out sectors disciplines programs. They gave timely information opportunities follow influencing favorable policies; they mobilized resources nationally, regionally locally; facilitated wider coverage short time. However, influence limited number locations; thus, quick win Nigeria, there is need all 36 states country giving equal priority state level advocacy. lesson, engender adoption biofortification, participation/leveraging works faster easier than starting afresh