146 women get goats
Invest In Early Years for Growth and Productivity Nutrition Project has distributed goats to 146 pregnant and breastfeeding women in Likoma District.
Speaking on Monday during the handover, Likoma District Council acting director of planning and development Leonard Kathalowamo said the council was optimistic that the livestock will improve the nutrition status of pregnant women and under-five children.
“The project has so far distributed 1 500 chickens, 330 goats, 11 000 fruit tree seedlings and 900 vegetable seeds packets to beneficiaries to boost their capability to eat all six food groups,” he said.
On her part, the project’s cluster leader Asante Chirwa said they have also learned to prepare nutritious meals using locally available food resources.
“Previously, we just consumed nsima cooked from cassava flour [kondowole] with only fish as relish.
“However, we give children diverse foodstuffs, thanks to the project.”
Chirwa said the goats will provide milk and meat to supplement their meals.
Another beneficiary, Ireen Mwase, commended the project for empowering people to have backyard gardens where they grow vegetables.
“Vegetables are a source of vitamins crucial for children’s growth,” she said.
Mwase has since asked other women to process and preserve fruits and food for future use.
Invest in Early Years for Growth and Productivity is a five-year World Bank-funded project implemented by the Government of Malawi.
According to a 2016 Malawi Demographic and Health Survey, the country’s stunting prevalence rate is at 37 percent.
