By Eyasu Zekarias
The Millers for Nutrition Initiative has officially launched its operations in Ethiopia, partnering with the charity TechnoServe to tackle the pressing issue of malnutrition in the country. This collaboration marks a significant step forward in the ongoing fight against malnutrition, bringing together key players from both the private and public sectors to improve the health of millions of Ethiopians.
Ethiopia has been proactive in addressing malnutrition through legislative measures. On August 31, 2024, the Ministry of Industry introduced a mandatory national food fortification program, a pivotal development in the country’s nutrition policy. This program mandates the fortification of essential foods, including cooking oil, wheat flour, and salt, for both locally produced and imported products. Notably, Ethiopia has already achieved impressive results with mandatory salt iodization since 2011, reaching 97% population coverage.
The newly launched initiative aims to further reduce malnutrition by enriching wheat flour producers and edible oil factories with essential vitamins. Eyakem Amsalu, the program manager for Ethiopia at Millers for Nutrition, highlighted the organization’s accomplishments over the past year, stating that they have provided technical assistance to 140 factories and training for an additional 40 factories.
The economic implications of malnutrition are significant; Ethiopia reportedly spends approximately 16.5% of its annual GDP on addressing malnutrition-related issues. The Millers for Nutrition Initiative aims to mitigate these costs by enhancing everyday food ingredients with vital nutrients.
Millers for Nutrition operates in eight countries across Africa and Asia, including Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Tanzania, and now Ethiopia. This extensive network underscores the initiative’s commitment to improving nutritional standards globally.
