New initiative aims to tackle malnutrition and boost local food production

Agricultural equipment has been distributed to selected beneficiaries in the Nuwara Eliya District today under the School Gardening and Nutrition Programme, jointly implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment and the United Nations World Food Programme.

The ceremony was held at the Nuwara Eliya District Secretariat under the patronage of the Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment, Dr Upali Pannilage.

The primary objectives of the project are to fulfill the nutritional needs of schoolchildren, eradicate malnutrition, enhance the livelihoods of the farming community, and boost local food production.

Addressing the gathering, Minister Dr Upali Pannilage stated that with the support of the World Food Programme, steps are currently being taken to provide a nutritious meal to over 300,000 students across 2,013 schools in the country.

The Minister noted that the programme is being implemented covering 400 schools in the Nuwara Eliya District alone, and urged beneficiaries to use the equipment received to strengthen family income sources alongside children's nutrition.

Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education Madhura Seneviratne, Nuwara Eliya District Coordinating Committee Chairman Member of Parliament Manjula Suraweera Arachchi, Country Director of the World Food Programme Abdur Rahim Siddiqui, and Nuwara Eliya District Secretary Thushari Thennakoon were among those present at the event.