The importance of optimal nutrition for
health and human development is well recognised.
At the time of Independence the country faced two
major nutritional problems. One was the threat of
famine and the resultant acute starvation due to
low agricultural production and the lack of an
appropriate food distribution system. The other was
chronic energy deficiency due to:
* low dietary intake because of poverty and low
purchasing power;
* high prevalence of infection because of poor
access to safe-drinking water, sanitation and
health care;
* poor utilisation of available facilities due to low
literacy and lack of awareness.
