Malnutrition negatively impacts Zambia’s most vulnerable population, which include children under the age of 5, pregnant women, lactating mothers, differently abled, and the elderly.
According to Zambia Demographic and Health Survey data, 32 percent of children under the age of five suffer from stunting, while 3 percent of deaths occur as a result of malnutrition annually.
The ZDHS notes that as early as three months, children in most rural areas are fed on cereal-based porridge mainly made from maize or cassava. This porridge alone is nutritionally deficient and inhibits the growth and development of children.
Pregnant women and lactating mothers also survive on foods that are devoid of nutrients needed to support the unborn children and lactating babies; the consumption of ‘dothi’, a clay commonly eaten by pregnant women, worsens and perpetuates the malnutrition cycle.
The dietary imbalance caused by inappropriate consumption of certain foods has serious repercussions. Children, for instance, have weaker immune systems, reduced growth, and delayed cognitive development. Mothers, on the other hand, who are pregnant or nursing are more prone to sickness, reduced production of breast milk, and stunted growth of the foetus, with their unborn babies more likely to be underweight or born before their due dates.
In some rural communities, cultural practices and traditional beliefs perpetuate malnutrition and inequality, such as early marriages and childbearing, which lead to malnutrition for both the mother and a child; food taboos, such as avoiding eggs during pregnancy, deprive individuals of essential nutrients.
Additionally, male dominance in food allocation, restrictions on breastfeeding, and preferences for certain foods over others can all contribute to malnutrition.
During sickness, malnutrition is worsened by dietary restrictions, which can be attributed to a lack of knowledge on appropriate nutrition. In most societies, these factors prolong starvation and lead to inequality.
Climate change worsens food insecurity, through crop failure and reduced food availability, as was the case during Zambia’s worst drought ever experienced that led to President Hakainde Hichilema declaring it a national disaster on February 29, 2024. The drought led to families making difficult choices between feeding their children and paying for healthcare, thus putting them at risk.
Malnutrition, however, has consequences that go beyond families. It has a major impact on Zambia’s economy and growth. A study by the World Bank estimates that malnutrition costs Zambia’s economy 4.3 percent of its GDP each year.
Despite the significant challenges, the Zambian government, through the Office of the Vice President (OVP) with the assistance of various local and international stakeholders, is dedicated to combating malnutrition.
To create more resilient, sustainable, and nutrition-sensitive food systems, OVP has included food systems in the national agenda. Key strategies that have been put in place to promote food and national security include scaling up irrigation, promoting climate-resilient agriculture, supporting smallholder farmers, and improving access to nutritious food.
Additionally, the office seeks to boost maize, wheat, and soybean output, productivity, and profitability through the implementation of the Presidential Agenda’s 10.1.1 Plan. This strategy seeks to end hunger and combat malnutrition; opening the door to a better future for all Zambians by promoting diversification and value addition.
In supplementing these efforts, Secretary to the Cabinet Patrick Kangwa recently urged all line ministries to prioritise the food and nutrition agenda in national development.
Mr Kangwa, chairperson of the Permanent Secretaries’ Coordinating Committee on Food and Nutrition, emphasised the importance of nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive interventions in reducing malnutrition and stunting, highlighting the need for coordinated efforts from various stakeholders.
“A one-government approach is needed to prioritise activities aimed at reducing malnutrition, which can impact human capital development and economic growth,” Mr Kangwa emphasised, at the inaugural meeting of the Permanent Secretaries’ Coordinating Committee on Food and Nutrition in Lusaka recently.
The Permanent Secretaries’ Coordinating Committee on Food and Nutrition was established under the Food and Nutrition Act No. 3 of 2020, with the mandate to coordinate multi-sectoral responses to food and nutrition programs in Zambia under the directive of the Vice President.
The OVP is in charge of spearheading the battle against hunger and giving food and nutrition oversight first priority. As a result, the National Food and Nutrition Commission (NFNC) has become stronger, and collaboration between government agencies, UN agencies, and interested parties has increased.
As part of President Hakainde Hichilema’s pledge to eradicate hunger, OVP offers a creative strategy to alter the food system and guarantee that all individuals have access to good, nutritious, and consistently supplied food.
Permanent Secretary for Administration in the Office of the Vice President, who is also Vice Chairperson of the Coordinating Committee on Food and Nutrition, Lilian Kapusana, is providing leadership and coordination for the transformation, which will be implemented through strategic engagements with key stakeholders.
Ms Kapusana stated that the country expects the move to have far-reaching benefits, including improved food security, nutrition, and economic growth.
“The government is working closely with stakeholders, including the private sector, civil society, and international organisations, to achieve these outcomes,” she said.
The Permanent Secretary underscored the government’s objective to reduce stunting from 32 to 15 percent by 2030 through the promotion of wholesome foods and diets, the empowerment of women, small businesses, and youth, and the improvement of incomes and food security.
Ms Kapusana stated that Zambia’s approach to implementing the plan includes showcasing its achievements at important international events, including the Nutrition for Growth Summit in France, UNFSS+3 in Ethiopia, COP 30 in Brazil, and the Scaling Up Nutrition Global Gathering.
She applauded the Alliance for Green Revolution in Agriculture (AGRA) for its support of African countries as they prepare to take part in the UNFSS+3 Summit in Ethiopia, highlighting Zambia’s intention to learn from that nation’s successes in smallholder wheat production and food security.
With the goal to address stunting and malnutrition, OVP has implemented strategies such as the Food Systems Transformation Pathways and the National Food and Nutrition Strategic Plan. The OVP is also collaborating with organisations like UN Zambia, FAO Rome and Zambia, AGRA, NFNC, and others to offer technical help.
UN System Coordination Hub’s Food Systems Regional Specialist for Africa, Martin Bwalya, has commended the government’s proposal to combat malnutrition in Zambia.
He emphasised the need for a comprehensive strategy, including increased promotion of nutrient-dense food production, marketing, and infrastructure development.
Mr Bwalya also stresses the importance of convergence initiatives and a proper system approach to curb malnutrition, emphasising the private sector’s involvement.
“The private sector should lead the government to where viable businesses are,” he stressed.
AGRA Country Executive Director Maliko Phiri highlighted the organisation’s commitment to improving agricultural productivity and food security in Zambia.
He said AGRA is working with government, farmers, and other stakeholders to drive agricultural transformation initiatives, including seed systems development, soil health improvement, irrigation, market access, and policy advocacy to boost smallholder farmers’ productivity and income, particularly women.
Moreover, the National Coordinator for Nutrition and Food Security from the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, Rhoda Mukuka, said Zambia is preparing to merge its food systems with the aim of promoting nutrient-dense food production to enhance health and welfare.
Dr Mukuka said this initiative must be widely disseminated to all relevant parties, including farmers, legislators, and commercial sector partners.
The UN equally reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Zambia’s efforts to transform its food systems and improve nutrition.
Zambia Development Coordination Officer for Partnerships and Development Finance, Paul Chitengi, said the UN values its current collaboration with the Zambian government and is actively working to include additional stakeholders from the health, education, and private sectors.
Mr Chitengi added that the UN is working with marginalised groups like youth, women, and people living with disabilities to drive the food and nutrition agenda at the grassroots level, as part of Zambia’s Zero Hunger Challenge, aiming to reduce stunting from 32 to 15 percent by 2030.
In an effort to promote Zambia’s food and nutrition agenda, the National Food and Nutrition Commission has renewed its commitment to coordinating efforts.
Commission Executive Director, Muntanga Mapani, said that in order to guarantee a coordinated response to food and nutrition concerns, they are collaborating closely with a number of stakeholders, including local communities, international organisations, and government departments.
“The commission’s efforts are part of Zambia’s broader efforts to transform its food systems and achieve the Zero Hunger Challenge,” Dr Mapani said.
The government is also implementing the “Feed Zambia—Zero Hunger Programme” to achieve a food-secure and prosperous nation. This initiative, coordinated with the CAADP and Zero Hunger Coalition, aims to promote sustainable agriculture and food systems, focusing on small-scale farmers, women, and youth. This ambitious plan is expected to significantly transform Zambia’s food systems
