Boys and girls suffering from malnourishment in Malawi are unable to develop to their full potential and maybe disadvantaged for life. Yet Malawi has the climate and land to feed its population well. Poor farming practices and the careless treatment of natural resources are often major causes for food insecurity.

We encourage church and village communities to respond to this situation by providing training in conservation agricultural practices. The particular approach we follow has been developed by ‘Foundations For Farming’, which begun in Zimbabwe. This is a way of integrating biblical ethics with scientifically sound agricultural practices.

Nutrition security involves eating a balanced diet throughout the year. A carefully planned and nutritious diet, good food-preservation and processing practices are also encouraged through the training we provide.

Nutrition training for participants in Ndaladi village. Participants learn about the six food groups to created a balanced diet. The training includes practical food processing and cooking. The villagers then enjoy the fruits of their labour.

 

Conservation farming training in Dowa. Planting basins have been filled with manure and the mulch cover applied in readiness for planting with the first rains. The mulch cover has many benefits in the Malawian agricultural context. It protects the soil from erosion and moisture loss, aids rain water penetration, adds organic matter to improve the soil's structure and moisture holding capacity and suppresses weed growth. Conservation farming results in better yields and creates a healthier environment.

Often the family diet in Malawi lacks in sufficient vitamins. Fruit grows well but is undervalued. Ndaladi villagers prepare a fruit tree seedlings' nursery (Papaya seedlings).