Sustainable household vegetable gardens

Short description

Household vegetable gardens are a practical solution to malnutrition challenges for children and pregnant mothers. We intend to empower families to grow vegetables rich in vitamins and minerals.


The problem we aim to solve

The Uganda Demographic Health Survey 2016 shows only 14% of children meet standards of Infant and Young Child feeding practices. Uganda Nutrition Action Plan shows that household food insecurity is the major cause of malnutrition in children. Households must be empowered to start self-sustaining vegetable gardens to meet nutritional needs. Recent nutritional profile shows vitamin A deficiency highest in Eastern Uganda and malnutrition contributing to 60% of child mortality.


Our solution

Populations need to be routinely sensitized about basic nutrition practices and empowered to practically use locally available resources to bridge nutritional demands in infants and pregnant mothers. Sustainable household vegetable gardens once implemented can naturally fit in existing household nutrient recycling.


The innovativeness of our approach

Since agricultural production is assumed as only possible on acreages of land, our project makes use of the smallest space in homes of both urban and rural settlers to raise vegetable gardens, yet self-sustained with household manure. The black net tunnels reduce impact of the scorching sun reducing soil moisture loss and protects vegetables from external pests, manure is prepared above ground eliminating soil borne parasites leading to an overall reduction on costs.

Technologies and Methods

The project only needs improved vegetable seeds, black nets and grow bags supplied by partners, the nets shall be supported on locally available wood poles assembled to a height of 3m and breadth of 5m for any length. Locally available sacks, farm soil and household organic refuse will be mixed with hand hoes and spades and watered with just little water for production throughout the year.

Potential Partners

National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) for supply of improved seeds and seedlings, National Forestry Authority (NFA) for supply of black nets, grow bags and the Ministry of Health’s National Nutritional Unit and local radio stations for mobilization and sensitization of communities about diversity of children and expectant mother diets, feeding frequencies and practices.

VOTE FOR THIS PROJECT

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

81
Dankeschön!
Sustainable household vegetable gardens

Team: Mutsaka Ivan

Nsaiga Salima

Nandutu Ann Frida

Bikala Joshua

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