Karonga district acting principal nutrition, HIV and Aids officer Halmiton Gondwe has emphasized the importance of promoting best nutrition practices to ensure food security and health outcomes.
He said this on Wednesday during the training of District Nutrition Coordinating Committee on Nutrition that the European Union-funded Ulimi ndi Chilengedwe project organised.
I George Mponda
Gondwe said the training was important because it equipped stakeholders with knowledge and skills on how agriculture can be used to improve nutrition.
“Despite being one of Malawi’s major food-producing districts, Karonga continues to register malnutrition cases, including a 25 percent stunting rate, according to the Malawi Demographic Health Survey of 2024,” he said.
Gondwe said the district is targeting to reduce stunting to below 20 percent by end of this year.
Karonga district principal animal health and development officer Michael Mapundi said the training provided valuable insights on how livestock can support household nutrition.
“I have learned that promoting small livestock such as poultry, goats and rabbits is not just about improving income, but also enhancing access to protein-rich foods,” he said.
Mapundi said nutrition education should be included in agricultural extension services to encourage farmers to consume part of what they produce.
“If farmers are aware of the nutritional value of their produce, they will make better decisions for their families’ health,” he sai
