Government has expressed satisfaction with the progress that has been achieved in improving food security and nutrition, resulting in hunger reduction across the country.
This came after Cabinet approved the Nutrition Financing Strategy.
Cabinet noted that the nutrition gains are threatened by the increasing consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and fast foods, leading to rising rates of obesity, overweight and diet-related non-communicable diseases.
Addressing journalists during Tuesday’s Post-Cabinet briefing, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Zhemu Soda said the country’s Global Hunger Index score improved from 35.5 in 2000 to 20.9 in 2025, attributable to effective interventions.
“The Nutrition Financing Strategy will therefore increase resources towards nutrition and Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) prevention programmes through the deployment of resources from Sugar Sweetened Beverages and fast-food tax revenue.
“The funds will be allocated across the following strategic pillars, namely: Health and Nutrition; Lands, Agriculture and Food Systems; Coordination and Programme Management; Human Capital Development; Social Protection; Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH); Advocacy and Communication; and Research, Development and Innovation.
“The Pillars comprise specific Ministries, Departments and Agencies that will implement the prioritised action plans through a multi-sectoral architecture.
“The specific planned interventions include, among others, the following: Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) activities with emphasis on First 1000 Days from Pregnancy; Primary Health Care Non Communicable Disease Prevention Programmes; Food Fortification and Food Safety Initiatives; Nutrient- Dense Food Production; Traditional and Climate-Resilient Food Systems; Support for Smallholder Farmers; School Health and Nutrition Programmes; Nutrition Education and Skills Development; Youth Nutrition and Adolescent Health Initiatives; Community Prevention Messaging Campaigns; Behaviour Change Communication Programmes; Consumer Education Campaigns; Nutrition Surveillance Systems; and Nutrition Research and Evidence Generation. “Going forward, technical nutrition policies will be translated into accessible and widespread public information.”
