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FRUITY HOMES, FRUITY CITIES

Vestine Uwiringiyimana

Kigali Institute of Science and Technology, Rwanda

FRUITY HOMES, FRUITY CITIES INTRODUCTION: AIMS AND BACKGROUND Malnutrition is a worldwide problem; especially micronutrient deficiencies. One billion poor people still suffer from hunger and malnutrition, while 2 billion are overweight and/or obese and this number is still increasing globally[1]. In Sub-Saharan Africa, more than 256 million people are considered malnourished, that is approximately one out of every three sub-Saharan Africans[2].

On the other hand, due to the continuous increase in food prices, many households barely afford to buy only staple foods such as rice and cassava which offer satiety but supply less nutrients[2]. FAO, in its report on Growing greener cities in Africa[3], suggested the establishment of healthy greener cities that ensure food and nutrition security and a cleaner environment for all.

New and better-adapted crops that are derived from genetic diversity have the potential to offer more nutritious and healthy foods for rural and urban consumers, providing on the other hand opportunities to generate income and contribute to sustainable development[3].

Therefore, the objective of the proposed project is to contribute, in a sustainable way, to the increase and diversification of household diets and income while ensuring food security in line with the BCFN area of focus of Food for All[4]. In addition, the project aims at introducing social involvement in the environment protection/preservation and giving a sense of responsibility in the national fight against micronutrient malnutrition.

DESCRIPTION The Fruity Homes, Fruity Cities project addresses the problem of micronutrients deficiencies and food insecurity at home level and in cities at large by bringing a new way of ensuring fruit security in Rwanda. The local population will be given an opportunity to take responsibility in ensuring that their homes are secure in terms of fruit security by growing fruit trees for home consumption and for income generation. On a second phase, fruit tree planting will be extended to private and public institutions, responsibly engage everyone in the fight against micronutrient deficiencies while at the same time sustainably preserve the environment.

APPLICATION AND RESULTS One to three tropical fruit trees will be planted in the compound of every home taking into account the available space. Improved varieties of tropical fruit trees to be planted, offering high nutrition, producing high yields and resistant to pests and diseases will be chosen in collaboration with the different stakeholders (e.g. The Ministry of Agriculture in Rwanda). Smaller hybrids which take less time to fully mature compared to indigenous varieties and occupy less space will be used. In collaboration with the local government, local nursery beds will be constructed, in each village, where the population will obtain the fruit tree seedlings. The local population through local agronomists will be trained on the proper management of the fruit trees, pest and disease management and post-harvest handling and preservation.

To fully maximize the participation rate and make sure that the most vulnerable has access to the project; the fruit tree seedlings will be given freely on one condition of willing to attend trainings. Sensitization of the project will be done through radio spots, on national TV and in newspapers. The message would mainly centre on using the empty space in the compound by planting trees for a healthy home, a healthy environment, and healthy cities.

On a second phase, in collaboration with stakeholders, fruit tree planting will be introduced in all the sectors of Rwanda, i.e. restaurants, schools, hospitals, churches and health centres. Restaurants in Rwanda are known to have good gardens; the planting of fruit trees would be advantageous in terms of beauty of the gardens and also fresh serving of high quality fruits to the customers. Additionally, fruits trees will be planted on church compounds instead of planting only normal trees. The fruits of the trees may be distributed to vulnerable children or organizations catering for orphans. Through the collaboration with the local government, health centres also will incorporate in their wellbeing plan for the community, the planting of the fruit trees. The fruits would be used for example, in the cooking demonstrations which are usually done at the health centre facilities and are mainly attended by women with malnourished children.

Furthermore, in collaboration with public and private schools authorities, the fruit trees will be planted on the school compounds, and the fruits will be served in the school lunch program. The planting of fruit trees could be used also for education purpose, educating the young generation about healthy eating and environmental and biodiversity protection. Farmers can also sell the surplus of the fruits to the local schools, which will provide steady income to farmers, while also providing fresh and nutritious foods to school children[2].

On the long run, Rwanda would export fruits in the neighbouring countries and beyond. Monitoring and evaluation of the project will be done through frequent visits and field discussion with the population and emphasis would be put on looking at the accessibility of the population to seedlings, fruit trees planted and well maintained. In addition, the impact of fruit planting in terms of nutrition in homes, health centres and all the institutions concerned will be assessed.

The expected outcomes of the project will be the increased consumption of fruits which will be expected to lead to improved nutritional status of the population especially in terms of micronutrient nutrition. Moreover, it will result in income generation of the population and with good maintenance of the fruit trees, the program could be sustained for years, thus ensuring food security and safe and green environment.

Vestine Uwiringiyimana Kigali Institute of Science and Technology

FRUITY HOMES, FRUITY CITIES CONCLUDING REMARKS In conclusion, Fruity Homes, Fruity Cities project will sustainably contribute in the production of organic fresh fruits locally grown, available and accessible to all the Rwandan community for their daily consumption and income generation resulting in fruit secured homes. The whole new ecosystem spread all over a city, all over the country would sustain the climate, contributing to the environment preservation and reduction of climate change in Rwanda.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I wish to acknowledge my friend and colleague, Peter Oneka Mugisha with whom we came up with the idea of this project.

Without the time we spent brainstorming, I think I would not be working on this specific project. Secondly, I also thank my supervisor, Dr Hilda Vasanthakaalam for informing me about the BCFN YES! Competition, without her I would not have been able to participate in this 2013 competition. Together with Mr Peter and Dr Hilda, I would like also to thank Dr Martin Patrick Ongol and Mr ThĂŠogene Dusingizimana for proofreading my proposal and for their invaluable comments.

REFERENCES 1.

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FAO. Sustainable Diets and Biodiversity: Directions and Solutions for Policy, Research and Action. in Biodiversity and Sustainable Diets united against Hunger. 2010.

BCFN, Eating Planet; Nutrition Today: A Challenge for Mankind and for the Planet, 2012. p. 332.

FAO, Growing greener cities in Africa, in First status report on urban and peri-urban horticulture in Africa2012: Rome.

BCFN, Nutrition and Well-being for health living, 2012.

Picture of Shyira Hospital, http://www.peacepowerandlight.org/, accessed July, 2013 Picture of Ngororero market, http://www.bahoneza.com/, accessed July, 2013 Picture of tropical fruits, accessed July 2013 http://www.examiner.com/images/blog/wysiwyg/image/tropical%20fruits.jpg

Vestine Uwiringiyimana Kigali Institute of Science and Technology