Karonga communities learn to prepare nutritious food

Karonga district director of agriculture, environment and natural resources Raphael Mkisi says lack of knowledge in preparing nutritious meals is leading to malnutrition among under-five children in the district.

He made the remarks on Tuesday at Mwenilondo Primary School  during food processing demonstrations aimed at teaching people how to prepare nutritious meals.

“Karonga produces various foodstuffs, but the problem is that many people do not know how to prepare nutritious meals,” said Mkisi.

He said under Programme for Rural Irrigation Development (Pride), the district will train people on how to prepare nutritious meals using locally available foodstuffs.

In an interview, village head Mwangolera said she was optimistic that the food processing and preparation training will improve children’s nutrition.

“There are malnourished children in the village who will benefit from eating the nutritious food their mothers will be preparing,” she said.

Mwangolera said she will encourage her subjects to eat meals that contain all six food groups.

Stunting in Karonga is at 28 percent compared with the national average of 37 percent.