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Malawi: Crops and Children Reap Benefits of Legume Mixture
VOICE OF AMERICA] 1 April 2013 – Scientists from Michigian State University (MSU), University of Malawi, healthcare workers, and Malawi farmers have teamed up to dramatically increase crop yields in Malawi and improve nutrition among young children.
April 15, 2013 - Last update: February 10, 2023
[VOICE OF AMERICA] 1 April 2013 – Scientists from Michigian State University (MSU), University of Malawi, healthcare workers, and Malawi farmers have teamed up to find a way of dramatically increasing crop yields in Malawi. The scientists said the experiment was a huge success, as crop yields increased with added nutrition, resulting in weight and height gains in children.
One of the researchers on the project and cropping systems ecologist at MSU, Sieglinde Snapp explained the project is using “a type of crop that actually improves the soil while also improving the protein levels of the crop so that it also has human nutrition value as well as crop nutrition value.”
“In the villages where we worked the longest, the under-five’s, the children are growing a bit better, close to international norms and are not as stunted now,” she said. “That is a real achievement that we know is due to the collaboration of nurses, working with soil scientists, and farmers all working together to make sure the kids get a healthier diet.”
