The government of Oyo State has stated that it is partnering research institutes, farmers, agricultural cooperatives and corporate organisations to promote the agricultural, nutritional, economic and health benefits of Amala, a popular delicacy of the Yoruba culture.
The state commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism Mr. Toye Arulogun, who disclosed this in a statement on the forthcoming Amala Fiesta on Thursday, stated that food tourism is a vital segment of tourism, stressing that the benefits inherent in Amala are too numerous to ignore.
Arulogun explained that Amala Fiesta with the theme “From the Farm to the Table” would be used to espouse and celebrate the agricultural, nutritional, economic and health benefits of Amala, adding that the state government is partnering the appropriate stakeholders for the fiesta to achieve its objectives.
He said that the government is partnering with two research institutes, Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), Moore Plantation Ibadan, and Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria ((CRIN), Agric Cooperators from the Ministry of Trade, Cooperative and Investment, farmers, OANDO energy and Nigeria Bottling Company (NBC) amongst others for the successful hosting of the fiesta holding between December 15 and 17, 2016 at Trans Amusement Park, Ibadan
The commissioner added that the ministry is organizing the fiesta in conjunction with Tourist Care, Hospitality Association of Nigeria (TCHAN), Ministry of Local Government, Ministry of Agriculture and Canteen Owners Association of Nigeria to celebrate Oyo State’s foremost delicacy, which has become a national pride with international presence and worldwide acceptance.
According to Arulogun, “Amala Fiesta also known as Ajodun oka is not just a food and cultural tourism event, but a celebration of the Yoruba food culture. The culture and tourism sector could be a viable revenue earner for states that develop it and we are ready to develop the sector to ensure the preservation of our culture, propagation of our cultural heritage and the promotion of our cultural tourism potentials which could earn the state more revenue and create wealth for the citizens”.
“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. Based on our findings, we discovered that Amala lowers cancer risks, builds the immune system, good for diabetic patients, improves eye sight and helps in weight loss.
“These are some of the benefits that our people do not know and we have invited stakeholders who will x-tray the health, economic, nutritional and agricultural values of Amala to the whole world during the 3 day food tourism event,” the government spokesman added.
