Sustained Diet Quality Improvement by Fortification with Climate-smart, Nutrition-Smart Orange-fleshed Sweetpotato in Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ Region (SNNPR), Ethiopia; also known as Quality Diets for Better Health (QDBH)

08.11.2019

The QDBH project aims at improving the nutrition situation of pregnant and lactating women and young children through dietary education and the incorporation of bio-fortified orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) varieties in the local farming system and diets. These varieties are highly nutritious and rich in vitamin A and have the potential to reduce vitamin A deficiency among in particular pregnant and lactating women and young children. QDBH works with smallholder families in four woredas in the Sidama and Gedeo zones in Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ Region (SNNPR) in southern Ethiopia, who are trained in improved sweet potato farming techniques and infant and young child nutrition practices in so-called Healthy Living Clubs (HLCs). These clubs are facilitated by members of the Health Development Army (HDA) supervised by local Health Extension Workers (HEW) and receive support in sweet potato farming techniques from Development Agents (DAs) from the local Farmer Training Centers (FTCs). In addition, the project aims to reach urban consumers through the fresh root market and the incorporation of biofortified, orange-fleshed sweet potato varieties in processed foods such as injera, ambasha, dabo and bombolino.

Partners

QDBH is implemented by the International Potato Centre (CIP) with People in Need (PIN) and the Rollins School of Public Health (Emory University). The Ethiopian governmental agricultural, health and market development agencies, the Southern Agricultural Research Institute (SARI), the University of Hawassa and the Agricultural Technical and Vocational Education and Training (ATVET) College in Sodo are the main partners.