Integrated Approach to Addressing Hidden Hunger for Food and Nutrition Security in Uganda

Short description

The project will employ innovative, integral and balanced approaches that incorporate nutrition-sensitive food systems and agricultural practices. It will also address gender, political and cultural diversities.


The problem we aim to solve

The project would like to tackle the inadequate intake of three main micro-nutrients, namely iron, iodine and vitamin A are that are of greatest public health significance in the developing countries. Developing countries such as Uganda are in a precarious situation of nutrient deficiency. Therefore, innovative, integral and balanced approaches that incorporate nutrition-sensitive food systems, agricultural practices and focus on building a knowledge base for sustainability, become critical for addressing this problem.


Our solution

There are several food-based approaches that focus on improving overall dietary quality, rather than merely delivering a single nutrient:

  • Instead of encouraging exclusive breastfeeding the project will promote the use of culturally appropriate weaning foods rich in micronutrients.
  • It will identify and promote consumption of traditional green leafy vegetables and fruits to add diversity to the diet.
  • Preserving micronutrients in fruits and vegetables by using solar drying or canning technologies.
  • Making it mandatory for each family to have household kitchen garden and encourage the rearing of small livestock such as poultry, goats etc.
  • Work with National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) and Makerere University on biofortification process and encourage plant breeding programs.
  • A supplementation strategy will be adopted to help in delivering the required nutrients directly to people in need (pregnant women, children under 5) by means of syrup or pills. The project will work with the government and other stakeholders to ensure that nutritional supplements are distributed fairly and constantly.
  • The project will particularly promote the use of ICT through use of mobile phones, radio and video to communicate critical messages to the community.
  • Community health clubs will be formed and empowered to train, build the capacity of farmers through use of music, dance and drama.

The innovativeness of our approach

What is unique about this proposed action is fronting the community as a focus for their own change by being in the front line of identifying their nutritional related challenges and empowering the community structures with the external facilitators that provides coaching services. This strategy is in line with the strategy of food sovereignty which promotes the right of people to healthy and culturally appropriate food produced through ecologically sound and sustainable methods, and their right to define their own food and agriculture systems.

Technologies and Methods

The project will use technologies such as use of kitchen gardens and sack mounds to promote production of vegetables. Various channels will be employed by the project to communicate or disseminate the information to the community. This will include radio, video, flayers, brochures, and drama, dance and music concerts. The community will be mobilized and sensitized to actively participate in the project activities, through establishment of community health and nutrition clubs, school health and nutrition clubs.

Potential Partners

  • Government of Uganda will provide needed political commitment and leadership on food and nutrition security.
  • The institutions like Makerere University Department of Human Nutrition will be instrumental in the providing data and efficacy of various technologies.
  • International organizations such as World Food Programme (WFP) and the donor community need to work with the Community Based Organizations (CBOs) to provide the needed resources.
  • The project will also leverage on the powerful incentive in working with private partners.

VOTE FOR THIS PROJECT

Voting ends on June 24, 2018, 11:59 pm (CEST).

168
Dankeschön!
Integrated Approach to Addressing Hidden Hunger for Food and Nutrition Security in Uganda

Team: Amolo Mary

Ongodia Innocent

Adong David

Joseph Anthony Otude

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