The Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAP), Mariano AsanamiSabino, said malnutrition in the country is on the rise because families lack in knowledge about the variety of foods available in the country that providegood and healthy nutrition for the body.
Minister Sabino added there are many factors that lead to malnutrition that are linked to the existing reality in Timor-Leste, the main cause being inadequate food knowledge at the family level that makes many families highly dependent on rice as their main food staple.
The Minister said also through theFamily Garden Program to be implemented in 2014, communities and schools, will take part in educating children and families on how to prepare and consume foodsthat are rich in nutrients.
“In future, we think we should have gardens.We would share the seeds of the moringatree and vegetables to those who have gardens to grow around the house because good nutrition requires the consumption of a variety of foods,” said Minister Sabino from his office, in Comoro, Dili.
Meanwhile the Minister of Health, Dr. Sergio da Costa Lobo, acknowledged the malnutrition issue in the country continues to increase because of the inadequate knowledge of families about nutrition and because of culture as well.
“Families need education on food, economy, culture, the environment and sanitation, but this is still lacking,” said Minister Lobo.
He said based on demographic data in the Health Survey 2010, malnutrition rates in Timor-Leste are at 58 per centfor stunted children growth; 19 per cent for underweight children; and 45 per cent for loss of weight in children under five year old because mothers cannot breast-feed them.
The Ministry of Health and Ministry of Agriculture vowed to keep engaging the community through a public health campaign and through local food demonstrations and promotion programs to increase the community’s knowledge of the issue.
“We will focus on foods that provide rich nutrition for children because malnutrition endangers any child’s future,” said Minister Lobo.
Meanwhile Comoro resident, Jeferino da Silva, says food security and nutrition are a significant challenge in Timor-Leste because food production is still limited, the price for local food is high and the community’s knowledge about nutrition is limited.
“Households or individuals in rural areas should have knowledge about the importance of good nutrition. Having sufficient knowledge will help them prevent and diversify their food consumption and quickly identify which is of quality and focus less on quantity only,” said local resident da Silva.
