The Government of Iceland has provided $1.5 million (about K2.6 billion) to facilitate the expansion of a Home-Grown School Meals programme that will support 10 000 primar y school children across 10 schools in Nkhotakota District over the next three years.
The programme , implemented in partnership with the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Ministry of Education, will see the schools also serve as a ready market for 1 200 smallholder farmers to supply locally produced food.
produce. | Ntchindi Meki
Speaking during the programme’s launch in Nkhotakota on Tuesday, WFP interim country director Simon Denhere said Malawi is facing severe hunger due to drought caused by El Nino, and that the meals might be the only food some children get daily.
He said: “For some is their only reliable source of nutr i tion. Ev idence from WFP’s school meals programme shows that these meals improve attendance, reduce dropout rates and help children stay focused in class. “Simply put , w h en children’s stomachs are full, they are more likely to succeed in school and beyond.” In his remarks, Iceland head of mission David Bjarnason said investing in school meals is an investment in human capital.
“By strengthening local food systems, enhancing school infrastructure, training teachers and supporting agricultural productivity, we are supporting a stronger development for Nkhotakota that benefits all,” he said.
On her part, the ministry’s School Health, Nutrition, HIV and Aids deputy director Maureen Maguza Tembo said expanding the programme to more districts strengthens both education and local food systems.
