Residents of Tasani, Chaani Kubwa and Fuoni villages sampled some tasty dishes prepared with traditional vegetables during three field days and cook shows held from 19-26 October 2017 as part of the Home Garden Scaling Project funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Zanzibar.

Representatives from WorldVeg, Helen Keller International, local government, and Zanzibar’s ministries of Health, Agriculture, Natural Resources, Livestock and Fisheries coordinated the events, which attracted 567 farmers in total. The attendees received updates on project implementation; reviewed the status of malnutrition in the Unguja region, where the three villages are located; and discussed different strategies for combating malnutrition—including ways to increase consumption of nutrient-dense vegetables.

All had the opportunity to taste African eggplant, okra, amaranth, and nightshade prepared with recipes designed to retain the vital nutrients these vegetables provide.  Local media was not about to miss out on this important story: Reporters from the Daily News joined the Tasani field day to interview participants and learn more about growing and consuming traditional vegetables, and a journalist from Assalaam Radio covered the Chaani Kubwa event.

Story and photos: Allex Alen