• Financial institutions should invest in Milk production.
• Good funding will help bring down the high levels of Malnutrition
• There is need to build political will for the country to win over Malnutrition

Civil Society Scaling up Nutrition (CSO-SUN) Alliance has urged financial institutions across the country to invest in Milk production under their Corporate Social Responsibility.
Speaking in an interview with Money FM News, Alliance Country Coordinator Matthews Mhuru said this will help bring down the high levels of malnutrition in the country.
Mr. Mhuru stated that if the country is to win over malnutrition, there is also need to build political will to tackle under-nutrition as countries that are achieving most progress have high level political champions.
“Numerous cross-country studies on the Governance of Nutrition have highlighted the fact that the level of political will given to tackling malnutrition is one of the most critical factors for success in such efforts,” Mr. Mhuru said.
He commended a named commercial Bank for releasing K500, 000 to Magoye Dairy Farmers Cooperative to boost milk production, stating that financial institutions should emulate the good gesture.
Mr. Mhuru added that milk production must be promoted at all cost by the private sector as well as by Government because of its widespread use and nutritional value.
“Dairy is rich in protein and many micronutrients, making it an important nutrition source for many populations, especially if they are affordable, “he said.
He further said if small holder dairy farmers continue to receive funding from both Government and the private sector, dairy farming in Zambia can play an important role in poverty reduction, employment opportunities, wealth creation and nutritional household food security of the majority of the rural populations living below the poverty datum line.