PRODUCING NUTRITIOUS VEGETABLES IN HOME GARDENS

Deploying Vegetable Seed Kits to Tackle Malnutrition in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Liberia

A good crop of leafy greens delights Robina Nasozi, a school principal who is well aware of the need to improve the nutritional quality of her students' diets.

A good crop of leafy greens delights Robina Nasozi, a school principal who is well aware of the need to improve the nutritional quality of her students’ diets.

One of the most immediate ways to combat nutrient deficiency is by eating fresh fruits and vegetables. The World Vegetable Center, in partnership with local collaborators, is developing appropriate vegetable seed kits along with participatory training systems for the production of nutritious vegetables through home gardens. Significant attention will be focused on women as managers of home gardens and household diets.

Home vegetable gardens can be beneficial in a number of ways:

  • improve food security and enhance the diversity of nutritional intake in a short period of time
  • generate additional income, and provide employment
  • contribute to better health
  • help to empower women and disadvantaged groups

OBJECTIVES

The objective of the project is to reduce malnutrition in USAID Feed the Future countries of Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Liberia, especially of women and children, through diet diversification and by promoting the production and consumption of nutritious vegetables containing essential vitamins and micronutrients such as iron, folate and zinc, and vitamins A and C.

This will be achieved through the accelerated production and deployment of diet-enhancing vegetable seed kits in the country and the development of and training in home garden vegetable production techniques.

Others to benefit from the capacity building and increased awareness of home garden benefits include public organizations, community-based organizations (CBOs) and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) working in agriculture and health in these countries.

The project seeks complementary partnerships to:

  • Reach over 25,000 households by 2018 through the scaling up of techniques and technologies developed and honed in year 1
  • Train up to 360 community-based trainers in home garden techniques and basic agronomy
  • Develop a sense of community ownership in villages and households for the concept of better nutrition through household gardens
  • Sustain seed supply through partnerships with CBOs and/or commercial seed companies
  • Generate high demand for locally produced vegetables through raising awareness about the benefits of good nutrition
  • Possibly derive commercial benefit in some households from the production of surplus vegetables after consumption needs have been met – the priority being that nutrition needs have been met.

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