The initiative is part of broader efforts to combat malnutrition among pupils in the district, which records some of the highest rates of child stunting in the country.
Mufindi. Ihanganatwa Primary School in Maduma Ward, Mufindi District, Iringa Region, has announced plans to cultivate six acres of maize and beans during the 2025/26 farming season to sustain its school feeding programme.
The initiative is part of broader efforts to combat malnutrition among pupils in the district, which records some of the highest rates of child stunting in the country.
Speaking to The Citizen yesterday, the head teacher, Mr Patrick Mwihava, said the school, in partnership with World Vision Tanzania (WVT), has been providing lunch to all its 236 pupils — from pre-primary to Standard Seven. The school has eight teachers, equally split between men and women.
Mr Mwihava explained that the programme is maintained through parental contributions, with each parent providing two tins of maize (40 kilogrammes) and eight kilogrammes of beans annually. The food is managed by the school’s food committee.
“This year, the committee collected 47 bags of maize and four bags of beans, with support from the village council and World Vision Tanzania, which has also been instrumental in providing nutrition education,” he said.
He added that the initiative is already paying off academically, noting that the school now ranks among the top ten in the district in national examinations.
Ms Lilian Adam, a health and nutrition facilitator with WVT’s Nyololo Area Programme, said the organisation intervened in Mufindi due to persistent malnutrition and stunting among children under five.
“We have been educating village leaders and school food committees on improving nutrition for children and their families through nutrition clubs,” she explained.
Some pupils commended the school lunch system for improving attendance and concentration.
“Previously, pupils were allowed to go home for lunch, but many live far from school, making it difficult to return on time for lessons. This programme has made it easier for us to focus on our studies,” said Genuine Silunu, a Standard Seven pupil.
Ms Ester Chidodola, who coordinates WVT’s relations with donors, said the Nyololo project is implemented in collaboration with government authorities and community stakeholders, including parents, religious leaders, and village councils.
“The project covers seven villages — Nyololo, Njiapanda, Maduma, Nyololo Shuleni, Njojo, Lwingulo, Ihanganatwa and Wanamaganga. Implementation has reached 100 percent, with all 12 project schools (eight primary and four secondary) now providing meals,” she said.
According to her, the project supports 4,555 students — 2,216 boys and 2,339 girls. Of these, 3,874 pupils, representing 85 percent, are sustained through parental food contributions. WVT has also assisted by constructing energy-saving stoves and establishing water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) clubs in the schools.
Meanwhile, a recent Nutrition Assessment Report by the Tanzania Food and Nutrition Centre (TFNC) revealed that stunting in Iringa Region stands at 30.1 percent, with Mufindi and Kilolo districts recording the highest levels.
The report, released on March 5, 2025, by TFNC Director Dr Germana Henry Leyna, showed Mufindi District topping the list at 39.7 percent, followed by Kilolo (35.9 percent), Iringa District Council (32.1 percent), Mafinga Town Council (23.6 percent), and Iringa Municipality (18.3 percent).
