ADDIS ABABA – August 29, 2024 (NIPN/EPHI) - A Seminar organized by the National Information Platform for Nutrition-Ethiopia (NIPN-Ethiopia) on Production of Omega-3 Rich Meat and Eggs and Their Implications for Nutrition and Health in Ethiopia was held here yesterday.
Opening the Seminar, Dr. Aregash Samuel, NIPN-Ethiopia Coordinator, said that participants would gain invaluable lessons and experiences from the presentation and discussion led by individuals with extensive experience in the field. “The presenter, Dr. Desalew Tadesse, a Healthy Agri-Field Solutions Consultant, and Dr. Namukulo, Director General’s Representative to Ethiopia with the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) will share their expertise on omega-3 fatty acids in our diet,” she said.
Dr. Aregash stated that NIPN-Ethiopia is committed to organizing similar seminars that bring researchers in the nutrition, agriculture and health sector close together. Appreciating those who contributed their share to make the seminar a reality, she expressed hope that many young researchers would learn a lot from the heated discussion and experience sharing event.
A seminar-related document released by NIPN-Ethiopia indicates that Ethiopia is among the countries where the intake of omega-3 fatty acids is below the recommended range for infants and young children as well as below the minimum recommended range for pregnant and lactating women.
Current solutions, like expensive fish oil supplements and fish, are out of reach for most Ethiopians. In addition, the water ecosystem is under constant pressure, such as overfishing, decline in fish species, contamination with toxic heavy metals, and climate change effects, raising concerns about the long-term sustainability of fish consumption. Thus, there is a need to shift to sustainable alternative terrestrial omega-3 fatty acid sources to meet the rapidly growing demands for these nutrients.
The presenter, Dr. Desalew, raised issues like where the Omega-3 fatty acids are found, the omega-3 historical perspectives, human health challenges associated with omega-3 deficiency, and others.
The Seminar Organized by NIPN-Ethiopia is expected to propose avenues for a policy-oriented research agenda seeking a production of Omega-3- rich meat and eggs for better implications for nutrition and health in Ethiopia, according to the released document.
Following the presentation by Dr. Desalew, questions, and comments were raised by the seminar participants. What is the basis for selecting the specific plant materials in order to meet the daily Omega-3 requirements? Has the study considered the productivity levels when using flaxseeds and plant extracts compared to conventional ingredients in chicken feed production in Ethiopia? There can be challenges in maintaining the health and productivity of the animals. Some studies have shown that certain Omega-3 enriched feeds can negatively impact growth rates and egg production. What is your reflection? These were some of the questions forwarded by seminar participants. Dr. Desalew and Dr. Namukulo have addressed the raised questions.
A total of 48 participants were involved, both virtually and physically, in the discussion held at the National Training Center of the Ethiopian Public Health Institute. (NIPN/EPHI)
