By Austine Patrice Kachilika

Mzimba, August 26, Mana: Afikepo programme with support from Catholic Relief Services (CRS) has  rewarded Traditional Authority (T/A) Kampingo Sibande, one group village head, two mother care groups and one adolescent group for their efforts in the fight against malnutrition at Eswazini in Mzimba District.

Speaking  on Friday, during presentation of the rewards and the launch of Afikepo’s performance based incentives (PBI) programme, Nutritional Officer for M’mbelwa District Council, Gift Simkonda said the incentives were a timely intervention as the district is lagging in nutrition.

 “These incentives will encourage various groups to step up consumption of all six food groups hence reducing malnutrition which affects 38.9 per cent of children in the district,” he said:

In his remarks, TA Kampingo Sibande stressed the importance of consuming exotic vegetables such as chisoso, sweet potatoes and pumpkin leaves.

“Exotic foods contain a lot of nutrients and natural salts that help our bodies grow and they do not cost any penny,” he said.

Kampingo Sibande also condemned the tendency of selling all the farm produce after harvest, saying it is contributing to high levels of malnutrition in the district.

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