FAO and partners intensify fight against malnutrition in The Gambia
Banjul – One quarter of children under five and three quarters of women of reproductive age in The Gambia are malnourished and anemic respectively, according to the 2013 National Demographic Household Survey (DHS). The unacceptably high levels of micro-nutrients deficiencies in The Gambia are compounded by rapid population growth, high levels of food insecurity (one third), poverty (half) and increasing climate change vulnerabilities and impacts. The DHS 2013 revealed that the consumption of vitamin A and iron rich foods was not optimal in the population, particularly among children aged 6-23 months. Malnutrition contributes to the spiraling vicious circle of poor nutritional status, especially amongst children under five and pregnant and lactating mothers, and thus making its eradication a priority for the government and its partners.
In a bid to sustainably address the menace of micronutrient deficiency, also known as hidden hunger, and its related impacts on public health and development, new varieties of bio-fortified tubers and cereal crops rich in vitamin A (orange-fleshed sweet potato, cassava and maize) and iron (beans) are being introduced for rapid multiplication across the country. From 13 – 15 April 2018, the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) spearheaded the transplanting of 5,400vines of three varieties of Orange Fleshed Sweet Potatoes (OFSP) in four vegetable gardens in the North Bank and Central River regions. The vines imported by NARI from by the Institut Senegalais de Recherche Agronomique (ISRA) in Senegal formed the first batch of bio fortified crops ((orange-fleshed sweet potato, cassava and maize) and iron (beans)). The community gardens in Nuimi Lamin, Konteh Kunda Niji, Madina Lamin Kanteh and Njoben that were established by the EU funded project implemented by FAO, are being used as rapid multiplication sites.
The bio-fortification initiative, supported by FAO, is aimed at improving the production and consumption of bio-fortified foods for the eradication of hunger, malnutrition and poverty in the country. The intervention will also include hands-on trainings for extension agents and farmers in the project intervention areas. The food based approach has been identified as one of the most sustainable and cost effective ways to increase the micronutrient status of the vulnerable populations.
The intervention is being supported by the European Union (EU) funded four-year project entitled “Improving Food Security and Nutrition in The Gambia through Food Fortification. The project is being by FAO in close partnership with the National Nutrition Agency (NaNA), National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI), Food Technology Service (FTS-DOA), Food Safety and Quality Authority (FSQA), Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, The Gambia Standards Bureau and United Purpose.
Addressing farmers in each garden, Tom Senghore, Horticultural Research Officer at NARI explained how to take care of the vines. He advised the farmers to water the vines every morning and evening. He noted that once the palatability test has been done, they will be provided with vines for cultivation and that the project will buy the excess vines from them for further distribution to other vulnerable farmers across the country.
Mustapha Ceesay, Agronomist at the FAO Country Office encouraged farmers to take full ownership of the intervention and work collectively for the attainment of the desired objectives. He explained that the crop will be assessed for performance, and that a palatability test would be conducted to enable the farmers to choose the best variety for cultivation. Ceesay used the opportunity to remind the farmers that it is illegal to take the vines away without authorization from NARI stressing that releasing new varieties prior to certification by the competent authority could inadvertently spread crop diseases. He advised them to monitor the performance of the potatoes and to report any unusual development of the plants.