Oliver Musembi
Governments, media and nutritionists should work together in promoting best practices while addressing African children’s nutrition.
Experts are concerned that millions of young children in the continent are faced with malnutrition, a challenge that needs to be addressed urgently and conclusively.
According to the Food Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network (FANRPAN) Director for Policy Advocacy and Communications Francis Hale, pointed the media has overlooked crucial subjects like nutrition and agriculture.
“Journalists working closely with governments and stakeholders can play an important role in influencing policy on agriculture and nutrition, particularly for young children,” Hale said.
He spoke during a one-day training session for journalists and community leaders in Kiambu County.
The training themed ‘Theatre for Policy and Advocacy (TPA) for Child Nutrition’ drew local and regional participants from various sectors to discuss ways of improving nutrition for children and advocating for policy changes by African countries.
Theatre and songs were identified as some of the best vehicles to drive the message home to community members on the importance of nutrition for young children.
Hale also divulged that the effects of global climate change will make food very expensive in a future where agriculture will be among the leading sources of money.
“As a result of climate change, food production will become too costly in a few years from now and those who undertake food production will make huge profits,” Hale stated.
He further noted that organic farming also stands a good chance as a top income earner, given that consumers are shunning from food produced using chemicals.
