Vision: To achieve optimum nutritional status for all Zambians.
Zambia’s National Food and Nutrition Policy provides a comprehensive framework to combat malnutrition and promote food and nutrition security across the country. Recognizing the critical link between nutrition, health, and economic development, the policy aims to eliminate all forms of malnutrition and ensure access to safe, adequate, and nutritious food for every citizen.
🎯 Policy Goals
- Achieve sustainable food and nutrition security.
- Eliminate all forms of malnutrition.
- Promote a well-nourished, healthy, and productive population.
🛠️ Key Objectives
- Ensure adequate nutrition, food security, and food safety at all levels.
- Provide quality nutrition care and integrate nutrition into development programmes.
- Strengthen monitoring, evaluation, and research in nutrition.
- Promote equity and access to food as a basic human right.
📌 Strategic Focus Areas
- Malnutrition Reduction: Support breastfeeding, micronutrient supplementation, and growth monitoring.
- Food Security: Promote food diversification, production, and affordability.
- Support for Vulnerable Groups: Address the needs of women, children, the elderly, disabled, and people living with HIV/AIDS.
- Gender and Nutrition: Empower women with access to resources and nutrition education.
- Health and Environment: Improve access to health services, safe water, sanitation, and food safety.
- Training and Capacity Building: Expand nutrition education and professional training.
- Emergency Preparedness: Strengthen systems to respond to nutrition-related emergencies.
🏛️ Institutional Framework
Led by the National Food and Nutrition Commission (NFNC), the policy promotes multi-sectoral collaboration across ministries, NGOs, and international partners. It also calls for legal reforms to strengthen the NFNC’s mandate and coordination role.
📊 Monitoring & Evaluation
A national strategic plan and data-driven monitoring system will guide implementation, supported by regular surveys and surveillance.
💡 Why It Matters
Nutrition is foundational to health, education, and economic productivity. This policy ensures that Zambia builds a healthier, more resilient, and food-secure future for all.
