Tanzanians rally to African traditional vegetables
Rally buses made the circuit of villages in Arusha and Dodoma, to spread the good word about these nutritious crops.
Getting people to understand the benefits of growing and eating vegetables, especially traditional ones, is no easy feat. In June, a novel way to generate awareness about traditional vegetables among the people of Tanzania and equip them with concrete suggestions to improve their diets hit the road: African traditional vegetable rallies.
Armed with loudspeakers, photo sheets, pamphlets, and samples of seeds and live plants, the two rally teams rolled into villages along two different routes in Arusha and Dodoma regions, spreading the word to any and all who would listen. From the eye-catching rally buses, teams broadcast messages on specific pre-selected topics, engaging farmers and villagers along the way and answering their questions. And before you could say Solanum scabrum*—whoosh!—the rally moved on to the next village.
The rallies were supported by the Good Seed Initiative, a project funded by Irish Aid, that promotes use of quality seeds and consumption of African traditional vegetables in Tanzania. The Center for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI), AVRDC – The World Vegetable Center, Horticulture Research and Training Institute Tengeru (HORTI-Tengeru) and INADES Formation from Tanzania are partners in the project.
Project partners met from 3-11 June 2014 at AVRDC Eastern and Southern Africa for a brainstorming session on promoting traditional crops led by Eric Boa from Agro Insight. Extension officers from Arusha, Meru, Kongwa, and Mpwapwa district councils joined the discussion. Participants learned how to use mass campaigning techniques to deliver succinct and rapid messages to the public, as well as how to get feedback from the public within a short time. The group settled on the rally theme ‘African traditional vegetables for better health’, and four specific topics were selected for promotion: the importance of good quality seeds; pest and disease management; vegetables production practices; and the nutritive value of vegetables. Participants prepared banners, factsheets and handouts on these topics for use during the rallies.
In just two days, 25 rallies were held in villages and small towns, around markets, and even along random roadsides. Farmers were delighted with the concept that brought information about crop production and nutrition to the heart of their villages. “I didn’t know if was losing nutrients by washing vegetables after cutting,” said one farmer. Said another: “This is real educative, are you planning do this every time?” During the rallies, farmers and consumers were interviewed for feedback and provided with contacts for further information.
The rallies reached 765 people, showing the great potential of this original idea to motivate many people effectively, and in a rapid way.
*African nightshade
A young mother reads about the benefits of eating traditional vegetables; they are especially important for her child to consume, to grow up health and strong.
