Dedza District Council has approved the establishment of a Food Systems Steering Committee to strengthen food systems governance in the district.
The District Executive Committee endorsed both the committee and its terms of reference during a meeting on Tuesday, paving the way for coordinated efforts to promote healthier and more sustainable food systems in the district.
Dedza District Council director of planning and development MacPherson Mwakhwawa described the development as a strong step forward in promoting food security and nutrition.
I Steve Chirombo
“The endorsement signals a district-led commitment to transform food systems towards healthier, more sustainable diets,” he said.
Mwakhwawa said food systems extend beyond farming to include food production, processing, distribution, consumption and waste management.
“For Malawi and Dedza in particular, transforming these systems is critical to addressing persistent food insecurity and malnutrition challenges,” he said.
In separate interviews, community members expressed excitement with the project, saying it will improve good nutrition practices.
John Mafuta from Mayani in Traditional Authority Tambala said it was important for communities to learn how to process food and prepare them before consumption.
“It will also be crucial to emphasise that mothers give their children nutritious meals,” he said.
GIZ is running the Sustainable Transformation of Food Systems: Empowering Pathways Bottom Up with support from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.
