TANGA: OVER 33 per cent of children under five in Tanzania face vitamin A deficiency, highlighting the need to promote nutritious foods, including orange-fleshed sweet potatoes, to improve child health.
The concern emerged during celebrations of the International Day of Rural Women in Tanga on October 15, 2026, where the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) launched a recipe book promoting different ways of preparing orange-fleshed sweet potatoes to encourage their consumption.
Speaking during the launch, Jane Msagati said the figures underscored the importance of promoting foods rich in vitamin A to address nutritional deficiencies among children.
The celebrations, held alongside activities marking World Food Day, also recognised three women for their contributions to the agricultural sector and food and nutrition security.
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The award recipients were Mary Mwakapasa from Tanga District Council, Swaumu Kipande and Asia Maula from Lushoto.
Pangani District Commissioner Mwanaidi Rajab, who presented the awards alongside Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture responsible for Crop Development and Food Security, Prof Peter L.M. Msoffe urged women to use World Food Week activities to acquire agricultural knowledge and take advantage of government opportunities to improve their economic well-being.
She said access to agricultural education and available opportunities could help women strengthen their livelihoods and increase their contribution to food production.
FAO Assistant Representative in charge of programmes and projects, Charles Tulahi, said rural women remained central to agriculture but continued to face challenges, including limited access to capital, land, technology and extension services.
He called on stakeholders to ensure women have access to knowledge, appropriate technologies, productive resources and leadership opportunities to strengthen their participation in agriculture.
The celebrations highlighted the contribution of rural women to food production and nutrition, while the recipe book launch sought to encourage households to incorporate orange-fleshed sweet potatoes into their diets as part of efforts to address vitamin A deficiency.
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