HKI implements evidenced-based nutrition sensitive programs that integrate agriculture practices with nutrition messaging through the HKI signature program approach known as Enhanced Homestead Food Production (EHFP). EHFP has been adapted and successfully implemented in 10 countries throughout Asia and Africa. The model has been adapted to suit varied contexts including urban, arid and tropical environments. HKI has been implementing the EHFP model in the the Lake Zone communities in Northern Tanzania since 2011. . The essential elements of EHFP, include the Essential Nutrition Actions (ENA) framework, and teaching improved home garden techniques focusing on growing nutrient dense foods such as Orange Fleshed Sweet Potato, dark leafy green vegetables, and vitamin A rich fruits, as well as improved management of local breed poultry for meat and egg production.

Approaching male and female household members inclusively with a combination of sustained training on essential nutrition actions and horticulture techniques, trouble-shooting, and cooking demonstrations for introduced crops resulted in the adoption of optimal consumption behaviours and sustained production of nutrient rich vegetables and poultry.

The EHFP approach works through local government health and agriculture systems, providing extension and health officers with the training and tools needed to provide follow up support to their communities. Community Service Organizations (CSO) and district government extension staff were responsible for regular supportive visits to households and for facilitation of training in villages. This structural capacity building creates a sustainable support system which can easily be replicated and expanded once HKIs involvement has ceased. Project implementation was coupled with rigorous assessment of impacts. Households with children aged 6-12 months were selected for inclusion to determine the impact of improved household nutrition on child growth. The project also offered a useful platform for encouraging production and use of the biofortified vitamin A enriched Orange Fleshed Sweet Potatoes (OFSP).

Preliminary findings support the anticipated impact against key behaviour change indicators. January 2015 data shows an increase in minimum dietary diversity in mothers and children (from 14% to 47% for adults, and 23% to 45% for children). Consumption of eggs in children increased from 7% to 39%. Growing of fruits increased from 0% to 29%, and iron rich vegetables increased from 3% to 53%, and consumption of fruits went from 11% to 59%, and of iron rich vegetables from 11% to 79%. In addition, locally adapted hand washing stations have increased from 0% to 41% and chicken coops increased from 20% to 37%. In 2015 alone, more than 469 farmers received over 75,490 OFSP vines for home production.