Solving malnutrition in NegOr

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor GUILLERMO TEJIDA III Desk Editor NANETTE L. GUADALQUIVER Busines Editor CEDELF P. TUPAS Sports Editor (On Leave) RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

EDITORIAL In what could be an unprecedented move against the perennial problem of malnutrition in the province of Negros Oriental, its health officials have turned to organic farming as the answer to such woes.

Coming on the heels of the celebration of Nutrition Month in July, provincial nutritionists have also joined the Department of Education in promoting a healthy lifestyle for the youth as a key to a bright future. And, what better way to improve the nutritional status of the children in the province than through organic farming?

For one, while we may be conscious of our health and follow a strict regimen of exercise and healthy food, little do we realize that much of our food intake, even some fruits and vegetables, contain chemical fertilizers and pesticides, that cause harm to human beings.

Adopting natural farming as a strategy of promoting a healthy lifestyle, will, hopefully, address to some extent the malnutrition problem in the province. Results have been quite encouraging as the malnutrition rate of the province' went down this year compared to last year. The malnutrition rate for the 20 municipalities in the province has been pegged at 11.8 percent and the five cities as 8.1 percent.

The promotion of organic farming goes hand in hand with the "Gulayan at Palaisdaan, Alay sa Kabataan" program which aims to revive backyard gardening and inland fishing as part of the food security program of the government. As they say, you are what you eat. What you eat is a reflection of how you respect your body as a temple of God.*