Food banks and nutrition
Recently someone wrote asking for advice on setting up rice banks to help communities make rice available for the entire year. We have also been working to help people in Malawi secure food for the entire year.
Relying on one staple food to provide the basis of a diet concerns me for two main reasons. Firstly, the body needs over 40 different types of nutrients and no one food can supply them all. Eating a variety of many different foods is the best way to get all the nutrients that the body needs. Secondly, growing the same food on the same land over and over again is unhealthy for the environment. In nature we always find a variety of different plants and animals working together to maintain soil health.
There are over 500 plant foods that are either indigenous or adapted to Malawi. These local foods, which can be harvested and used all year-round, can provide all of our nutritional needs. These plants are often highly resistant to the problems that affect current agricultural crops such as pests, disease, droughts and floods. They need little care as long as they are protected and allowed to reproduce.
Use rice banks as just one approach to food security. At the same time also, look into the foods that are available in your area and learn how to encourage their growth and how to cook them. We all need variety for a healthy body and a healthy environment.
Stacia and Kristof Nordin, PO Box 208, Lilongwe, Malawi. Fax: +265 721 802 E-mail: pangono@eo.wn.apc.org
Fungal infections
I would like to comment on the letter from Mr Gerber on fungal infections spreading though towels (Footsteps 39). In fact, most poor people cannot afford to buy any kind of towel, let alone have one for each family member. Most people use cloth to wash and dry themselves and these are rarely shared with other family members.
I believe the spread of fungal diseases could be due to:
- bathing and washing clothes in cold, untreated river water
- lack of personal hygiene
- the sexual promiscuity of our men and women.
Changes will come through health education and changing behaviour. Maybe we should now aim to achieve health for all by 3000, since we certainly did not achieve it for the year 2000!
Dorcas Katali, Principal Tutor, Kisiizi Hospital School of Nursing, PO Box 109, Kabale, Uganda.
Mobile phones
Following the article on mobile phones in Footsteps 40, I would like to emphasise their potential. I have spent much time in remote areas of mountainous Bhutan. The national planning was all based around establishing wire based service – but these could never reach isolated villages. Digital phone services are rapidly developing which will also provide fax, data services and E-mail access. This is the way forward for isolated areas. More power to Muhammad Yunus for providing funding for these services in India.
Peter G Harrison, PO Box 736, Nightcliff 0814, Australia.
E-mail: pgharr@peg.apc.org
Animal fodder
I would like to share a little more information about dangerous fodder plants which may cause illness or death in animals kept enclosed (Letters page, Footsteps 39).
Some plants contain small amounts of prussic acid, and in certain conditions this may increase to dangerous levels. This may happen after heavy rainfall follows a time of drought. The lush green leaves may wilt in hot sun, allowing prussic acid to build up. Frost damage causes similar effects. Avoid feeding such wilted leaves.
Also, remove all overhanging trees and bushes from areas where fodder is grown. Leaves from these can get blown onto the fodder and cause problems.
Though there are slight dangers in growing fodder, the advantages are great, preventing the build-up and spread of diseases, preventing vegetation damage and erosion and using less land to feed more animals.
Dr D E Goodman, Christian Veterinary Missions, PO Box 166, Turbeville, SC 29162, USA.