The Zambia Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition (CSO-SUN) Alliance country coordinator Mathews Mhuru says government should invest in nutrition-sensitive agriculture programmes to tackle malnutrition.

In a statement, Mhuru commended government’s efforts for supplying needy communities with relief food, but appealed for investment in nutrition-sensitive agriculture programmes to tackle malnutrition.

He observed that most Zambians, particularly in rural districts, still depended on a mono-diet for subsistence, which mainly consisted of maize consumption.

“The Zambia Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition Alliance would like to commend government for distributing an assortment of food stuffs to over 38,000 people in Lunga district whose houses and crop fields were submerged following a continuous heavy downpour. We have noted with happiness that apart from maize and mealie meal, the government has also distributed 100 by 50kgs and 125 by 20kgs of beans, among others. This is what we have been calling for and we are happy that government is now responding to our calls. We feel that this move will allow the vulnerable families to not only have food, but also meet their nutrition needs. We are cognisant of the fact that one of the major causes of malnutrition in Zambia is mono-diet, which is concentrated on maize,” stated Mhuru.

“However, we want to reiterate our call on government to invest in nutrition sensitive agriculture programmes, which will be crucial in fighting malnutrition in the country and making a difference in the lives of the majority farming communities in Zambia. There is no doubt that nutrition sensitive agriculture will help children grow up healthier – physically and mentally. We are afraid that Zambia will continue recording high malnutrition cases if nothing is done to promote nutrition sensitive agriculture.”