NGO fights stunting in Mzimba District 

Foundation for Community Support Services has intensified awareness campaign on nutrition in Mzimba District.

Speaking on Saturday during an open day on food processing and preservation at Kamzomela in Traditional Authority (T/A) Kampingo Sibande, the organisation’s director Kossam Munthali said they want to fight stunting, especially among under-five children in the district.

He said they are teaching people how to process and preserve food for future use.

“We want to intensify awareness on how people can adopt good nutrition practices such as good eating habits, food production, processing, preservation and utilisation,” said Munthali.

He said the project, among others, promotes good farming practices, economic empowerment, making of manure as well as poultry and livestock production to enable people have enough food to feed their families.

M’Mbelwa District Council principal nutrition, HIV and Aids officer Frank Mfune said stunting levels are still high in Mzimba at 38.9 percent.

“We ask different partners to continue engaging people on good nutrition habits. We need to encourage people to own home gardens to grow fruits and vegetables to consume the six food groups,” he said.

Mfune, who is also the council spokesperson, condemned some cultural practices in Mzimba which forbid pregnant women and children from eating some food products such as eggs, saying it is affecting the fight against malnutrition in the district.

Sarah Zgambo, a community member from Kamzomela Village, said people are now responding positively to nutrition interventions.

She said: “The interventions have helped us to understand food diversification, processing, preservation and six food groups.

“Now we know how to prepare nutritious food using locally available resources to fight stunting and malnutrition.”

With funding from United States-based Rise Against Hunger, the foundation is implementing a Harvesting Prosperity and Resilience Project in T/A Kampingo Sibande in the district.