Sweetpotato Knowledge Portal
Joshua Okonya, a research associate with CIP – Uganda, the organization that is promoting the sweet potato based agri-food systems, said CIP and partners have trained health workers (in-charges, VHTs and Health Assistants) to train mothers in their communities on better ways to prepare complementary foods. “The problem is a lack of knowledge on how to prepare meals for children especially those that are above 6 months which has contributed to high prevalence of VAD, a form of ‘hidden hunger’ – a lack of vitamins and minerals in diets.” He said their intervention is to train VHT members and caregivers to enhance their knowledge on how to prepare a balanced diet to have a healthy and strong generation, Joshua said.
“Our focus is to fight and reduce VAD in the community, which is why we are encouraging use of OFSP which is rich in Vitamin A as one of the components in the diet,” he added.
Improving care-givers’ knowledge of good nutrition through monthly community-based care group trainings
Through VHTs and Health Assistants, communities have learnt the importance of exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months; complementary feeding and preparation of balanced diets; feeding… By 10:00 a.m., the morning sun already feels hot in Obir village, Parak Parish in Lakwana Sub County in Omoro District of Uganda.
