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Mon, 24 Oct 2016 16:52:54 +0000
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This is Gabriel Adukpo from Ghana, again.

I am contributing to the role of small farms in solving the triple burden of malnutrition (Question 3.3.5).

When children are severely malnourished, health authorities refer them to rehabilitation centers established at the hospitals where food is used to treat the "ailment" of malnutrition. Certain prescriptions go with the instruction: "eat before taking this drug". Policy makers interested in a healthy society would naturally be concerned with the triple burden of malnutrition.

Small farms need to apply improved farming methods in order to increase crop yields to meet the energy requirements of the growing population. Rearing of local poultry and small animals does not only improve nutrition at household and community level but also alleviates poverty for the farmers.

Small farms in many developing countries employ rudimentary tools for farm operations and a system of mixed cropping. These, in a way, preserve biodiversity especially indigenous plant species that are rich in micronutrients. Small farmers need to disabuse their minds, for example, that local leafy vegetables are for the poor and that farmers can only make money by cultivating and selling exotic vegetables that in any way require the use of much pesticides. Through nutrition education - demonstrations, food bazaars - smallholder farmers can be consciensitized to diversify their produce to fight micronutrient deficiency. Food fortification and bio-fortification might be more costly.

Appropriate dieting is used to manage overweight and obesity. Consumption of processed food does not help in matters of overweight. Fresh and diversified produce from small farms can be employed in diets that can reduce the burden. Also medicinal plants conserved in situ on small farms can be used in food preparation to reduce obesity.
 
Gabriel Adukpo
Freelance Writer
P.O. Box CJ 187
Koforidua 
Ghana
Cell phone: +233 277 47 22 93/+233 208 59 81 35
Email: gyaduk (at) yahoo.com // gyaduk (at) gmail.com

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