FoodMa/01/01/ “MMERA MPOYAMBA” Project Community Based Childcare (CBCC) and Junior Farmer Field and Life School (JFFS) as innovative models for the adoption of Orange Fleshed Sweet Potato (OFSP) and Quality Protein Maize (QPM) and utilization

"(a) Problem being addressed in brief and the research sites Adoption of nutrient dense foods like orange fleshed sweet potatoes (OFSP) and quality protein maize (QPM) is very low. This is despite increased efforts to promote production and consumption of these foods and the foreseeable nutritional benefits. Malawi government introduced several strategies to combat malnutrition among them promotion of biofortified (nutrient dense) foods. However, the low adoption of most of these foods is stifling government efforts to successfully and sustainably reduce malnutrition. Among many districts experiencing high prevalence of malnutrition are Dowa, Rumphi with Mchinji being the highest with 44% stunting above the national prevalence of 37%. Thus innovative ways to increase efforts against malnutrition are required more than before. Therefore it is hereby proposed that a two model approach CBCC and Junior Farmer Field and Life School (JFFLS) as method to piloting adoption of sustainable nutrition sensitive agricultural practices be used for growth of OFSP and QPM in Rumphi, Dowa and Mchinji. (b) Project’s objectives The project has three objectives i. Pilot Junior FFS as an innovative adoption model for OFSP and quality protein maize (QPM) in Dowa, Mchinji and Rumphi. ii. Pilot CBCCs as an innovative model to improve the adoption the adoption of OFSP and quality protein maize (QPM) in Dowa, Mchinji and Rumphi. iii. Evaluate the efficacy of CBCC and JFFLS models to improve the adoption of OFSP and quality protein maize (QPM) in Dowa, Mchinji and Rumphi. c) Projects innovativeness, sustainability and impact Piloting CBCC and JFFLS in encouraging adoption of nutrient dense foods such as OFSP and QPM is a very innovative and sustainable idea. All along government and its partners have used the traditional approach where extension workers engage adult farmers to impart skills. In this project children and youths are the active participants (as young as preschoolers and primary school learners and the youths). The engagement of children in promoting adoption is very sustainable as they will develop permanent cognitive schemes about OFSP and QPM and their nutrient values that will be continuously practiced throughout their lifespan. Collaborating with children and the youths allows for sustainable impact through child and youth advocacy models. This approach innovatively beats OFSP and QPM food aversions based on engraved yellow colour negative attitudes (yellow maize and orange potatoes being conceptualised as poor man’s foods or relief food item) in adult populations. (d) Relevance to FoodMa objectives and national goals Malawi desires that by 2063, should be self-reliant industrialized upper-middle-income that primarily funds its own development needs through a strong and vibrant manufacturing industry that creates an inclusive wealthy population. Critical to the realization of this goal are the children and youths of Malawi. As enshrined in the Convention on the Right of Children (CRC), children and the youths are active participants of their own development and further reflect and shape subsequent community and national development. Investments in children and the youths is not only the country’s fulfilment of the tenets of the CRC but importantly an assurance of a sustainable development. This project therefore utilises the agency of children and youths as innovative models to increase energy and nutrient intake using a dietary diversity slant where OFSP and QPM adoption is key. (e) Main activities, and expected results The main project activities are: awareness and follow up meetings, training and coaching on importance and farming of OFSP and QPM, production of OFSP and QPM, processing OFSP and QPM into nutritious food products, conducting food fare with media coverage, and monitoring and evaluation (surveys). The expected outcomes are harvest of OFSP and QPM in kilograms, incorporation of OFSP and QPM in school and household meals, diversified diets in households, improved nutrition status of children and women in the catchment area. (f) Beneficiaries The primary beneficiaries of this project are CBCC and primary school learners. It is expected that agricultural and science skills shall be sharpened through this project. The meals of learners both in school and at the household shall become better, which may affect their learning positively and improve their nutrition status. Parents and guardians as well as teachers of the learners are secondary beneficiaries of the project. (g) Social inclusiveness consideration By its philosophy the CBCC model as well junior farmer schools aim to improve the livelihoods of vulnerable populations. Therefore, the project shall involve all preschool and youths regardless of social background, gender or disability. (h) Capacity building (Postgraduate and/or Undergraduate student involvement) There shall be involvement of undergraduate and postgraduate students from the faculty of food and human sciences and relevant departments, through out the project. This is a way of building capacity in the young scientists. The school committees and community leaders in the project areas shall be capacitated as well with skills of imparting nutrition knowledge, lifelong lessons and skills to pre-schoolers."