Fatshimetrie, October 12, 2024 (ACP) – An awareness-raising and training program on food and nutrition security was deployed from October 10 to 12, 2024 in Kenge, Kwango province, Democratic Republic of Congo. This initiative was set up by the peasant confederation of Congo (COPACO-PRP) as part of its Support Project for the Promotion of Agricultural Entrepreneurship and Food Security of Local Production Organizations (PAPESA-opl).
Funded by GAFSP/World Bank and supervised by IFAD, this program aims to strengthen the capacities of COPACO-PRP member organizations in food and nutrition security. The objective is to combat malnutrition in rural areas, particularly in Kwango province.
During this training, participants from several farmers’ organizations were made aware of the importance of food and nutrition security. They also received practical information, such as the rapid preparation of cassava leaves, in order to promote a healthy and balanced diet.
The provincial coordinator of COPACO-PRP of Kwango, Richard Sefu Fundji, stressed the urgency of acting against malnutrition and insisted on the crucial role of women, young people and the entire population in the fight against this scourge. For his part, Pipin Katshunga Ngete, from the national nutrition program (PRONANUT), highlighted the practical aspect of the training, focused on concrete advice to improve daily nutrition.
A nutritionist present at the training, Christine Mayituka Ngwanga, highlighted the importance of favoring local and natural foods to fight against malnutrition. She stressed the essential contribution of breast milk from the first minutes of a baby’s life, thus highlighting the positive impact of informed food choices.
In conclusion, this training on food and nutrition security allowed participants to become aware of the issues related to food and to discover simple and effective practices to improve their daily diet. This initiative highlights the importance of education and awareness to promote a healthy and balanced diet in rural communities in the DRC.
ACP/C.L.