Tanzania launches national nutrition action plan to boost fruit and veg consumption

TANZANIA – In response to alarmingly low fruit and vegetable intake among Tanzanians, the government has launched a national nutrition action plan, aiming to reduce the percentage of people not meeting recommended consumption levels to 68 percent by 2025.

Currently, over 90 percent of the population falls short of these dietary guidelines, contributing to a rise in non-communicable diseases across the country.

Dr. Nyamizi Bundala, Assistant Director for Livestock Products, Food Safety, and Nutrition at the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, revealed the plan during an international fruit and vegetable science conference in Arusha on August 27, 2024.

The event, which brought together 250 scientists from eight countries, focused on Tanzania’s struggle with low fruit and vegetable consumption despite its abundant production.

“Our target is to reduce the percentage of people not consuming enough fruits and vegetables to 68 percent by 2025,” Dr. Bundala stated. “This is part of a broader effort to enhance public health through better nutrition.”

Dr. Bundala highlighted findings from a 2022 global nutrition report that showed a rise in the number of people unable to access a healthy diet, increasing from 112 million to 3.1 billion worldwide.

In Tanzania, the low consumption of fruits and vegetables has fueled the prevalence of non-communicable diseases, now affecting 40 percent of the population.

Additionally, 20 percent of Tanzanian children are overweight, underscoring the urgent need for nutritional intervention.

“The strategy seeks to lower stunting, which stood at 31.8 percent in 2021/22, to 24 percent by 2025/26. Despite adequate production, the consumption of vegetables and fruits remains alarmingly low,” Dr. Bundala added.

The five-year strategy, covering 2021 to 2026, aims to address malnutrition across all age groups, with a specific focus on increasing fruit and vegetable intake to combat the rising tide of non-communicable diseases.

Dr. Gabriel Rugalema, Director of the World Vegetable Center for Africa, emphasized the importance of public education in promoting healthier eating habits.

He urged for stronger efforts to raise awareness about the benefits of fruit and vegetable consumption to reduce stunting and childhood malnutrition.

“Public education is crucial for changing dietary habits and improving health outcomes,” Dr. Rugalema remarked.

He called on the government, health professionals, and the agricultural sector to work together to make fruits and vegetables more accessible and affordable for all Tanzanians.

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