Farmer Field School & Nutrition : Role of vegetables E M E R G E N C Y O P E R A T I O N S A N D R E H A B I L I T A T I O N D I V I S I O N

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1 Farmer Field School & Nutrition : Role of vegetables

2 Why nutrition in FAO?

3 Addressing HIV and Gender inequities through a food security and nutrition response in Eastern and Central Africa

4 Mainstreaming nutrition through the Field School Approach What is a Field School? A community based, practically oriented learning programme involving a group of farmers/ pastoralists facilitated by extension staff or by other farmers. Also called school without walls. Farmers or pastoralists meet to learn, test & adapt practices using practical hands on methods of discovery learning that emphasis observation, experimentation, discussion, analysis and collective decision making. It improves their management skills to become experts in their own farms. Vegetable production and Nutrition are fundamental topics that are included in the curriculum

5 Observation Synthesis /decision Analysis/discussion Presentation

6 Nutritional messages through cultural expressions Through song-dance-drama people share their culture, build communication skills and address sensitive issues such as HIV/AIDS, gender, nutrition etc!

7 Integrating Nutrition in Field Schools General nutrition education Diet and culture (Locally adapted) Some factors also affecting fruit and vegetable consumption are addressed Identification of local foods and Diet diversification An analysis of diets consumed locally and how they can be improved Food handling and preparation Including vegetable handling and preparation Food processing, preservation and storage (traditional and modern methods) Including vegetable preservation and storage Nutritional deficiency diseases Identification and characteristics Practical application both in FFS and PFS

8 Examples of Vegetables & Nutrition related Topics Vegetable production Post harvest management, IPM, Soil fertility management, Human Nutrition HIV and AIDS Gender roles and responsibilities

9 Vegetable production Improving the analytical skills of Junior Farmer Field School members through vegetables experiments Field school members working together in production and analysis processes in vegetable farms

10 Innovative gardening methods Innovative methods to increase vegetable production, for better nutrition. (stair case garden). Benefits: Less land and labor requirements Improved & diversified vegetable production improved diets, improved sales Contributes to reduction of poverty and malnutrition rates Innovative and contextualized approaches are encouraged through the field school

11 Cooking demonstrations Participatory food handling, preparation and organoleptic testing of a variety of foods to maximize nutritional benefits

12 Use of vegetables to improve the health of People Living With HIV and AIDS HIV infection increases nutrition requirements and It may also impair food and nutrition security Why vegetable intake is important in HIV/AIDS Strengthens the immune system, thus enhances body s ability to fight diseases This may help delay the progression of HIV It Improves the quality of life of People Living With HIV and AIDS Use of less labour intensive production methods: Kitchen gardens, Multi-storey/ stair case kitchen garden. (Mostly production of variety of vegetables for the households) Vitamins and E M E minerals R G E N C Y O P E R are A T I O N fundamental S A N D R E H A B I L I T A T in I O N the D I V I S diet I O N of PLWHA

13 Participatory analysis of diet through Field School in Burundi

14 Vegetables production and consumption: Challenges and Opportunities in Field School OPPORTUNITIES To increase awareness on importance of vegetables in the diet, To increase farming and consumption of traditional/ indigenous vegetables that are drought resistant, To increase awareness on proper preparation and storage of available vegetables To increase value addition options for vegetables To diversify markets for vegetables CHALLENGES Varying climatic conditions in ASAL regions low vegetable production (Pastoral Field Schools) Negative traditions and taboos- inhibiting vegetable consumption, Market orientation Vs Nutrition Vegetables are not considered status food- sold to buy more prestigious foods, Provision of transport and access to market