By Milcah Mathias

Blantyre, June 17, Mana: Communities in Traditional Authorities Machinjiri and Somba of Blantyre have been encouraged to practice integrated homestead farming to enhance food security and nutrition.

This was disclosed on Monday in Blantyre during the joint supervision using Community Behavior Tracking Mechanism Tool (CBTM) conducted by University of Malawi (UNIMA) and District Nutrition Coordinating Committee (DNCC).

Speaking in an interview, Project Assistant for UNIMA, Nailes Ngwira said the tool, which was developed by UNIMA, was used to track the progress of the SUN integrated project, which is being implemented in the areas by Farmers Union of Malawi (FUM) with support from KFW.

She said: “This is done by monitoring and evaluating the results through feedback sessions with community members, on best practices of promoting homestead farming and maintaining good hygienic practices.”

According to Ngwira, the project was encouraging communities to have backyard gardens and venture in livestock production from which they could obtain meat and eggs for good nutrition.

“They were also encouraged to grow fruit trees and have in their homes drying racks and hand-washing facilities. So far, we are impressed with what we have seen," said Ngwira.

Village Headman Cham'bwinja 2 from Cham'bwinja Village, Traditional Authority (TA) Machinjiri said the practice has helped supplement his household diet.

A beneficiary of the project, Stivelia Moses from Mkoka Village, GVH Nzeru, TA Somba said the backyard garden has been helping her not only obtain nutritional supplements for her family but also by doing business to make profits.