Fruit trees for micronutrient-rich diets in Zambia

by International Centre for Research in Agroforestry
Fruit trees for micronutrient-rich diets in Zambia
Fruit trees for micronutrient-rich diets in Zambia
Fruit trees for micronutrient-rich diets in Zambia
Fruit trees for micronutrient-rich diets in Zambia
Fruit trees for micronutrient-rich diets in Zambia
Fruit trees for micronutrient-rich diets in Zambia
Fruit trees for micronutrient-rich diets in Zambia
Fruit trees for micronutrient-rich diets in Zambia

Summary

In Southern Africa, heavily starch-based diets are common despite the array of tropical fruit, due to social and ecological change. This project aims to trigger the scaling of nutrition-dense landscapes in rural Zambia by working with 10,000 homes to grow carefully-curated portfolios of wild and exotic fruit trees. Produced by nursery operators we train, these trees will provide year-round diets rich in micronutrients, and bring families new earnings, and capture carbon and support pollinators.

$125,000
total goal
$119,469
remaining
64
donors
3
monthly donors
1
fundraiser
1
year

Challenge

Africa's great miombo forest, rich in indigenous fruit, lies across Zambia. Wild fruit makes up 80% of rural women's intake. But deforestation is causing tree cover to recede, and nature's abundant supply is falling. At the same time, farms themselves produce few fruits and vegetables. The result is that diets provide little in the way of the micronutrients needed for healthy growth and well-being. Child stunting is high and women's intake of vitamins and minerals is far below what is required.

Solution

Bringing greater diversity of local fruit trees on to farms along with suitable exotic fruit trees provides a steady supply of vitamins and minerals. When families have 10-12 fruit especially combined species per farm, at least one will be fruiting at any time. The project will train local nursery operators to raise these trees and will work with families to adopt them. Local fruit trees are ecologically adapted, more likely to resist drought/pests, require little labor, and fill in hunger gaps.

Long-Term Impact

The project will enrich the diets of up to 10,000 households by boosting diversity and seasonal availability of nutritious foods. It will create green jobs and steward above and below ground biodiversity (soil). It will address the climate crisis; trees absorb carbon and protect farms from shocks like floods. Women will have more access to cooking energy from branches, twigs. Incomes will rise (some fruit sold in towns). Higher goals are a healthier food system and a new way forward on stunting.

Additional Documentation

This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).

Resources

Organization Information

International Centre for Research in Agroforestry

Location: Nairobi - Kenya
Website:
Facebook: Facebook Page
Twitter: @icraf
Project Leader:
Stepha Mcmullin
Nairobi, Kenya
$5,532 raised of $125,000 goal
 
92 donations
$119,469 to go
Donate Now
lock
Donating through GlobalGiving is safe, secure, and easy with many payment options to choose from. View other ways to donate

International Centre for Research in Agroforestry has earned this recognition on GlobalGiving:

Help raise money!

Support this important cause by creating a personalized fundraising page.

Start a Fundraiser

Learn more about GlobalGiving

Teenage Science Students
Vetting +
Due Diligence

Snorkeler
Our
Impact

Woman Holding a Gift Card
Give
Gift Cards

Young Girl with a Bicycle
GlobalGiving
Guarantee

Sign up for the GlobalGiving Newsletter

WARNING: Javascript is currently disabled or is not available in your browser. GlobalGiving makes extensive use of Javascript and will not function properly with Javascript disabled. Please enable Javascript and refresh this page.