The County Government of Machakos, in partnership with the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), has kicked up a campaign to increase vegetable consumption among school children in Machakos to reduce the rate of lifestyle diseases and improve the general wellbeing of the population.
The partnership includes construction of cold rooms for proper storage and preservation as well as provision of apparels and dustbins to vendors to enhance standards of cleanliness.
The initiative also seeks to debunk the myth that vegetables are ‘a poor man’s diet.’
Speaking during the launch in Machakos town, Deputy Governor Francis Mwangangi called on Agricultural Extension Officers to ensure safe growing of vegetables for both domestic markets and for export.
He said a proper diet that includes vegetables eliminates hospital visits.
GAIN Communications Manager Bonnie Musembi and Project Manager Musa Shande said Machakos is among five counties selected to pilot the programme dubbed ‘Food Fiti’ which targets to reach 1.5 million people.
Others are Mombasa, Nairobi, Nakuru and Kiambu counties.
“We are working with the Department of Agriculture, Health and Trade on the ‘Food Fiti’ programme. We have also contracted the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Services (Kephis) to check on pesticides in the market which are used to grow vegetables in order to ensure safety; but it is for us all to spread civic education about proper growing and consumption of vegetables,” said Musembi.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends individuals to consume 400 grams of vegetables per day.
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By Stephen Muthini
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