Rural Nutrition Interventions with Indigenous Plant Foods – A Case Study of Vitamin A deficiency in Malawi

Abstract

Identification, propagation, and introduction of a nutritionally rich, indigenous plant species in the existing cropping system are presented in this paper as a method of rural nutrition intervention.

A case study of Moringa, which is a common tree in Malawi and one of the richest sources of vitamin A and vitamin C compared to the commonly consumed vegetables is presented to address the problem of vitamin A deficiency. After a brief review of the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency and the efforts to reduce its incidence in Malawi, Moringa is suggested as a potential solution to the problem.

A framework for designing nutrition intervention with Moringa is described for actual implementation. It is argued that attempts to identify, document, and encourage the utilization of nutrient-rich indigenous plants could be cost-effective, and a sustainable method of improving the nutritional status of local populations.

The introduction of Moringa to combat vitamin A deficiency in Malawi is, in this paper presented to illustrate the process of utilizing indigenous plant foods for rural nutrition intervention. Moringa is shown to be superior in providing vitamin A compared to all commonly eaten vegetables in Malawi. The usefulness of indigenous knowledge on local foods cannot be ignored in designing rural nutrition interventions.

In addition, this approach provides a more sustainable way of improving the nutritional status of the population. In most cases, educating the rural households on the nutritive value of indigenous foods may help them to utilize these foods in their diets on a regular basis. Nutrient-rich indigenous plants could also play an important role in designing farming systems research and agroforestry projects.

Further research would involve the following:

- evaluating the introduction of indigenous foods for its benefits towards changes in the consumption patterns - nutritional improvements of the beneficiaries. The process of implementing a rural nutrition intervention using indigenous plant has been documented using the example of Malawi. Understanding the role of various institutions in the process of identifying, designing and implementing rural nutrition interventions can hardly be overemphasised.