Presented by Mrs Mzondwase Mgomezulu (DAES) Presented at Report Launch “Mapping Linkages Between Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition in Malawi” Ufulu Gardens, 28th April, 2015

1. Integrating Nutrition in Agricultural
Extension Services
Paper presented at
Mapping the Linkages between Agriculture, Food
Security and Nutrition in Malawi Report Launch
By
Mrs Mzondwase Mgomezulu (DAES)

2. Presentation Outline
• Introduction
• Institutional arrangements
• Strategies
• Challenges
• Conclusion

3. Rational for Nutrition Extension in Agriculture
• Mandate of Agriculture Extension Services
is to provide pluralistic and demand driven
extension services
• Role of F&N Branch - Ensuring that
households achieve food and nutrition
security through diversified production and
diets

4. • Link with different departments (DARS,
Crops, Animal Health, Fisheries, Land
Resources, Irrigation and Planning ) & other
Ministries
• Established Food &Nutrition posts from
National to Districts
• Network of frontline staff
• Decentralized structures to the village level
(model village)

5. STRUCTURES OF THE DAESS
District Agric.
Committee
committees Committees . . .
DEC
AEC
DAECC District Stakeholder Panel
ADC
VDC
Community/
village
Entry point for
Planning & implementation
for interventions
Eg ; Model Village
DISTRICT COUNCIL
Area Stakeholder Panel
VAC

7. • Promotion of production of diversified foods and
dietary diversification (diversified staples, legumes,
food from animals, fruits vegetables, fats and
substitute)
• Promotion of production of high nutritive value foods
and their consumption (OFSP, indigenous vegetables,
small stock, soya beans, orphan crops); Promotion of
Integrated Homestead farming
• Intensification of Nutrition Education

8. Diversified crop production

9. Demonstration session at Kaphuka village in Dedza district

10. Dietary diversification campaign at Peak gardens

11. • ASWAp-Sp originally had no F&N activities,
presently falls under Crops which makes difficult to
access funds
- SAPP, APPSA have Food & Nutrition
• Fragmented/project type of implementation
• High vacancy rate (40%) and limited capacity of
frontline staff to implement nutrition activities
- Deletion of FHA post at EPA level
• Limited mobility for district specialists including
FNOs.

12. • Generally farming communities have basic
knowledge about Food & Nutrition e.g. the
Malawi six food groups
• Calls for collective and better coordinated
efforts (public, private, civil society,
development partners) in addressing Food
& Nutrition issues