Government Praises Nutrition‑Smart gains in Rumphi and Dowa

Government has expressed satisfaction with the early results of the Nutrition‑Smart Social Protection Pilot being implemented in Rumphi and Dowa districts.

Deputy Director of Social Protection in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, Dalitso Kalimba, made the remarks during an interview after a joint World Bank‑government‑COMSIP team visited the two districts to assess progress.

“We are impressed with the performance on the ground. Interacting with beneficiaries, it is clear that the project is making a positive impact,” Kalimba said.

Kalimba added that most households are now sending their children to CBCCs, demonstrating a commitment to education and nutrition. Beneficiaries have also shown a good understanding of the nutrition objectives and are applying that knowledge to start related enterprises, which he described as “very promising.” He expressed confidence that as the project continues to roll out, even better outcomes can be expected.

During a courtesy call, Dowa District Commissioner Stallichi Mwambiwa commended the initiative, noting that average group savings per member in COMSIP Savings and Loan Groups championing the piot have reached MK 58,000, while total savings of all project participants have hit MK 80 million in the district.

“The savings volumes are really encouraging, and to see those we have classified as poor making such savings is a strong indication that the mindset‑change trainings in this project are working,” Mwambiwa said. He called on implementers to ensure the programme reaches all Traditional Authorities in the district before a national rollout.

The Social Protection Nutrition Smart pilot aims to provide nutrition‑sensitive livelihood opportunities for ultra‑poor households under the Social Cash Transfer Programme, while delivering social and behaviour‑change communication on nutrition and training to encourage small‑scale production of nutritious foods.

The activities are being carried out through Community‑Based Child Care Centers (CBCCs) and COMSIP Savings and Loans Groups.