Nurturing nutrition: FAO’s kitchen garden initiative takes root in Kagera

KAGERA: RESIDENTS of Kibeta Ward in Bukoba Municipality gathered at the newly opened dispensary grounds on Saturday for a unique demonstration that showcased the potential of kitchen gardens to improve household nutrition and food security.

As part of the national World Food Day celebrations, the event—organised by the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in collaboration with the government and local partners—offered hands-on training in sustainable vegetable cultivation using water-efficient techniques.

With 80 irrigation kits distributed, participants, including breastfeeding mothers, left equipped with practical skills to grow and prepare their own nutritious food, underscoring the region’s untapped agricultural potential amidst persistent high rates of child stunting.

In his speech, the Acting Chief Medical Officer for Bukoba Municipality, Dr Auson Baruti, urged residents to confront the paradox of persistent child stunting in Kagera Region—a region blessed with rich agricultural resources.

Despite its fertile soil, abundant rainfall and proximity to Lake Victoria, Kagera continues to grapple with a 34 per cent child stunting rate, placing it among the top ten regions in Tanzania facing this challenge.

“As we mark World Food Day, it’s essential to reflect on why we still struggle with malnutrition despite the region’s vast agricultural potential,” Dr Baruti remarked.

He called on urban residents, in particular, to embrace kitchen gardening as a practical solution. “Even in the city, you don’t need a large plot of land to grow vegetables. A small backyard can support a raised bed garden, providing fresh, nutritious produce year-round.”

He emphasised that Kagera’s favourable rainfall patterns and fertile soil create a unique opportunity for every household to grow nutritious food, thereby improving family diets and contributing to the fight against child malnutrition.

The event featured live demonstrations of how to set up and maintain kitchen gardens using simple, water-efficient techniques like drip irrigation. FAO’s Agricultural Specialist, Theresia Massoy, said the goal of the initiative is to encourage vegetable cultivation within communities as a means to enhance food security, improve nutrition and promote sustainable agricultural practices.

As part of the demonstration, FAO distributed 80 drip irrigation kits and watering cans to help residents establish their own gardens.

“We aim to show that with minimal resources, households can grow a variety of vegetables that will not only supplement their diets but also address the issue of malnutrition,” Massoy explained.

Attendees were shown step-by-step how to set up raised garden beds and connect the drip irrigation kits, which are designed to maximise water efficiency in vegetable production. The demonstration gardens served as a hands-on model for participants to learn best practices in sustainable farming.

Elizabeth Byarugaba, one of the women who received an irrigation kit, expressed her excitement about applying what she learned. “Before today, I didn’t know much about kitchen gardening or the importance of nutrition for my children. This demonstration has opened my eyes to how easy it is to grow vegetables right in my backyard. I can’t wait to teach my neighbours and share what I’ve learned.”

Joanita William Mbesha of Kibeta Nyamrugo Hamlet also praised the initiative, particularly its focus on improving household nutrition. “Thanks to this demonstration, I now know how to prepare balanced, nutritious meals for my children using vegetables from my own garden. This knowledge is invaluable and I will be sharing it with other women in my community.”

This kitchen garden initiative is part of FAO’s broader commitment to promoting food security, improving nutrition and enhancing livelihoods in Tanzania. By working with local communities, schools and healthcare facilities, FAO provides training, seeds and tools to encourage the cultivation of fresh, nutritious food.

In addition to household gardens, FAO supports school garden programmes, which serve both as educational tools and sources of healthy food for students.

These efforts aim to instill healthy eating habits from an early age while enhancing learning outcomes and fostering resilience in local communities.