Combining water and nutrition interventions: Insights from the field
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The document discusses the critical relationship between water and nutrition, emphasizing that adequate water supply is essential for food production and health. It highlights the negative impact of insufficient water on malnutrition, specifically among children, and introduces food-based dietary guidelines developed by FAO in several African countries. Additionally, it presents various innovative practices to optimize water usage in agriculture, such as growing crops with grey water and promoting nutrient-rich foods like spirulina and moringa.
Combining water and nutrition interventions: Insights from the field
- 1. Combining water and nutrition interventions: Insights from the field Dr Mercy Chikoko 23 June 2020 FAO –Sub Regional Office for Southern Africa SDG 2: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture SDG 6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
- 2. water is US! Water and nutrition relationship 50 Litres We are roughly 70% water. For average adult we are over 50 litres of water Without this water, it cannot survive. Water and nutrition linkages in our body • Solvent for nutrients and body wastes • Transports nutrients and wastes in blood • Needed for hydrolysis and digestion • Regulated body temp by evaporation of perspiration • Aids in chemical reactions • Lubricates joints • Serves as a shock absorber
- 3. HOUSEHOLD USEFOOD PRODUCTION HOUSEHOLD WATER ACCESS Water and nutrition relationship Agriculture is the main source of food production & accounts for 70% of freshwater supply. • Less time spent on child care & feeding • Cooking and Food preparations • Food production • Other productive activities
- 4. State of safe water and malnutrition Food insecurity and malnutrition are high in areas with insufficient water Studies have demonstrated that prevalence of acute malnutrition is higher among children from households who walked more than 60 minutes to fetch water addition to sanitation Key statistics 50% of under nutrition is associated with infections caused by poor WASH 25% of stunting is attributed to 5 episodes of diarrhea during the 1st two years of life Studies suggest that poor sanitation is the second leading cause of stunting worldwide
- 5. Food Based Dietary Guidelines (FBDGs) Past 2 years FAO Africa has developed FBDGs in 8 countries and includes issues of sustainability in the messages and visual illustrations VS • Washing hands & wash with less water usage in cooperated • Drink water instead of sweetened beverages • Drink tap water instead of bottled water
- 6. Diversified food production with less water Uses less water - Water in the bucket enough for the 6-8 weeks - Fast growing vegetables Raised gardens (Lesotho) • Uses less water • Uses grey water • Composting household waste
- 7. Water grows the MOST super food on earth Angola 2017-2018 with FAO support • More than 0.8 tons of spirulina powder and granules produced • Over 300 kg of spirulina distributed to vulnerable children and elderly people • Resulted in improved nutritional and health status • High in protein 62.84% dry weight • High in essential amino acids (38.46% of the protein) • Essential PUFAs • B complex vitamins, Vitamin A , C, & others • Calcium, iron folic acid, etc Uses less water & space
- 8. Other water & nutrition sensitive programs • Next champion Super food- Moringa tree • Use of grey water for food production • Aquaponics. • Integrated fish and chicken farming • Water harvesting for food production
- 9. THANK YOU
Editor's Notes
- #4: Time spent collecting water due to distance and type of facilities (drawing, pumping or running water) Studies have demonstrated prevalence of acute malnutrition was higher among children from households who needed to walk more than 60 min to fetch water addition to sanitation