Africa embraces ‘Go to Work on an Egg’ to boost maternal health and nutrition
In Malawi, small-scale egg production is being promoted as a vital, affordable source of protein to combat widespread childhood malnutrition and stunting. Local entrepreneurs are meeting high demand, helping to improve maternal and child health outcomes.
Why it matters
Addressing malnutrition through accessible local food sources is a critical strategy for improving long-term economic and developmental outcomes in developing nations.
Villagers queue outside Shamim Haried's home for her eggs - Panos/James Oatway The sun is barely up when villagers start queuing for eggs at the metal gate of Shamim Haried's home.
By noon, all that day's supply is usually sold out, but people keep coming and asking if there are any left.
Demand is so high that arguments can break out in the queue, says the mother-of-two who lives outside Malawi's capital, Lilongwe.
Her eggs are cheaper and fresher than those sold in the market.
"The people almost fight for eggs: it's hard to watch," she explains.
"Eggs are the cheapest healthy protein that they can get and it's better for them to buy here than anywhere else."
Her flock of 1,400 chickens lay around 1,000 eggs each day, but she reckons she could sell three times that.
Shamim, inside her chicken shed - Panos/James Oatway
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