Food and Nutrition Security Support Project in Kitabi Sector
Specific Objectives
- Promote nutrition-sensitive agriculture
- Encourage the local production and consumption of Vegetable Protein Concentrates (VPCs)
- Support the protection and restoration of agricultural land
- Facilitate the establishment and effective functioning of tontines (community-based savings and credit systems)
Targeted Beneficiaries
600 smallholder farming HHs living in poverty with a total of 2,400 individuals (70% female, 30% male). The households were targeted in Kitabi Sector (in 3 cells in Shaba, Mujuga, and Uwingugu) and in Kaduha Sector (in 2 cells of Kavumu and Nyabisindu).
Main Activities
- Train representatives of beneficiary groups on the Agri-Nutrition curriculum and Agro-ecological Practices (AEP)
- Facilitate beneficiaries' access to agricultural inputs for Farmer Field Schools
- Support the establishment of kitchen gardens and small livestock at the household level
- Organize training sessions and demonstrations on preparing balanced meals for pregnant women and children under two years old in villages
- Conduct experimental trials on the cultivation of climbing beans in collaboration with RAB/MINAGRI
- Support the production of agroforestry and fruit tree seedlings at the FFLS level
- Support the installation of plastic rainwater harvesting tanks for agricultural purposes
- Support the construction of improved cooking stoves that save firewood
- Assist primary schools in activities aimed at strengthening young students' knowledge of food security, nutrition, and environmental protection through youth clubs
- Train and organize beneficiaries to establish and ensure the proper functioning of village savings groups (tontines)
Key Achievements
The project directly supported 600 vulnerable households in Kitabi and Kaduha sectors, reaching approximately 2,400 individuals. It achieved remarkable progress in nutrition-sensitive agriculture, with 96% of Kitabi and 89% of Kaduha households now preparing balanced meals for children and pregnant women. All 12 initial malnutrition cases were successfully treated, and no new cases have been recorded.
In 2023, over 3,600 kitchen gardens were established (723 through Farmer Field and Learning Schools and 2,868 at the household level). Additionally, 108 rainwater harvesting tanks (72 in Kitabi, 36 in Kaduha) were installed, reducing water-fetching distances and erosion while supporting agriculture and hygiene.
Small livestock distribution enhanced both nutrition and income. Kitabi households received 139 goats, 211 pigs, 407 rabbits, and 344 chickens, while Kaduha households received 119 goats, 7 pigs, 51 rabbits, and 207 chickens.
The project introduced the innovation focused on the household-level production of Vegetable Protein Concentrates (VPCs) from climbing bean leaves, which has been well received by beneficiaries as well as local authorities and health centers services.
Approach
- FFLS (Farmer Field School) approach to strengthen the capacities of beneficiaries in sustainable agriculture and nutrition techniques
- Approach of local volunteers-facilitators for the regular supervision of beneficiaries at the FFS and household level
- VSLA approach development: savings and loan tontines were strengthened to maintain the social and economic cohesion of the beneficiaries
- Integration of Youth and Women (Engaging youth clubs, GALS & GBV approach)
