Building Sustainable Agricultural Development through Home-Grown School Feeding - The African Approach

Emmanuel Ohene Afoakwa, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
Linley Chiwona-Karltun, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

Abstract

Proper nutrition is critical for optimal growth, cognitive development, general well-being and academic performance of children. Access to good nutrition either at home or through the educational system can contribute to the elimination of malnutrition and its associated health and developmental problems. In this regard, The 2005 UN World Summit recommended the expansion of local school feeding programmes, using home-grown foods where possible as one of the “Quick impact initiatives” to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, especially for rural areas facing the dual challenge of high chronic malnutrition and low agricultural productivity.