World Bank, FUM sign K2.3bn project
The World Bank and Farmers Union of Malawi (FUM) yesterday signed a $3 million (about K2.3 billion) financing agreement to implement the Adolescent Nutrition-Sensitive Agriculture Pilot project in Ntchisi and Mwanza districts.
During the signing ceremony at World Bank offices in Lilongwe, World Bank country manager Greg Toulmin said the pilot project will promote behaviour change and nutrition education among adolescent groups.
after the signing ceremony
He said: “50 percent of girls get married before the legal age of 18, 30 percent of them give birth before the age of 19 and 36 percent of those who complete primary school enter secondary education.”
He said the project, which targets 33 000 beneficiaries in the two districts, will also increase production and consumption of nutritious food and improve income generating activities among the youth.
In his remarks, FUM chief executive officer Prince Kapondam’gaga said the project was developed following wide consultations with stakeholders in collaboration with the World Bank, Department of Nutrition, HIV and Aids, as well as ministries of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development; and Local Government and Rural Development.
