Malnutrition worries Health minister
Friday, March 08, 2024 | 610 Views |
He said underweight prevalence amongst children under the age of five stood at 3.8 percent in 2023, slightly above the national target of three percent. In addition, he said the Botswana Demographic Survey of 2023 revealed that 3.6 percent of children aged below five years and 33% of adults were overweight.
“To address these challenges, my ministry, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations is in the process of developing the first National Food and Nutrition Policy, which is expected to be completed during the 2024/25 financial year.
The Ministry of Agriculture, local producers, retailers, and industry associations must work together to overcome the obstacles hindering vegetable production and distribution.This collaborative approach is essential to improve the availability, quality, and affordability of vegetables in the market.Firstly, the Ministry of Agriculture should provide support and guidance to local farmers to enhance their productivity and efficiency. This could...