Uganda: Adaptation Strategies and Food Security

Our objectives are to ensure a better, more varied and balanced diet, as well as to decrease food insecurity among the most disadvantaged families, through educational, work-oriented and sustainable projects on agriculture and animal husbandry, and through support for the most vulnerable individuals.

Motivation

The Batwa are the indigenous population called 'Pygmies' which corresponds to an "anthropological designation of individuals belonging to various human groups characterized by small stature." The short stature is the consequence of growth delay due to inadequate nutrition especially in the first 5 years of life, but in this case persists throughout life. Scientific studies show how the Batwa diet is sub-optimal for every age group, and especially among women, children and the elderly, leading not only to short stature (defined as 'stunting' or 'chronic malnutrition') but also to acute malnutrition, which have a high rate of morbidity with irreversible effects on their development, and high mortality. In the population, the average age is very low, but some older Batwa who guard the knowledge and traditions of the population are still present. Therefore, we have decided to implement projects that can reduce food insecurity, educate about sustainability in agricultural and animal food production, as well as food distribution in cases of more vulnerable individuals who are unable to produce food on their own.

Impact

All 217 families cultivate a garden for domestic use, with different varieties of plants, and are part of the 'Seed Bank' project.
8 pig farms in as many villages have been started, with the aim of increasing the total number of farms to guarantee beneficiaries an income and a diet richer in animal proteins (goat and chicken farms will also be started soon to guarantee milk and eggs to every child). Nowadays, we have more than 60 pigs among the 10 settlements.
Rabbits were distributed to 125 families, and after the first 8 months, 95% of the families have started rabbit breeding.
In the coming season of 2026, we will begin also goats and chickens breeding in some groups within all the 10 settlements, aiming at reaching all families in 3 years time.
Two food distributions to all families were made in times of crisis (lockdown due to COVID-19) and currently some of the most vulnerable elderly individuals receive a monthly food ration and essential everyday items.