admin | May 18, 2015
In March 2015, Farm Radio International hosted an online discussion on nutrition. We invited African radio broadcasters to discuss questions such as: What is nutrition? Why is it important to talk about it? What are the links between agricultural production and nutrition? What does gender have to do with nutrition?
The Barza team is pleased to share highlights from the discussion. We also share highlights from a subsequent survey of participants, and your suggestions for future e-discussions.
Highlights from the discussion
Broadcasters from 21 African countries participated, sharing a wide variety of perspectives on nutrition. The discussion featured two nutrition specialists who responded to questions: Joyce Kinabo, Professor of Human Nutrition at Sokoine University of Agriculture in Tanzania, and Boitshepo Giyose, a Senior Nutrition Officer at the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization.
During the first week, we talked about what nutrition is and why it’s important. Participants read an introduction to nutrition (written by Joyce Kinabo) and discussed their understanding of the subject. Broadcaster George Mwamodo from Kenya wrote: “… Nutrition is the process of supplying the body with the required supplements to aid its growth and good health. The body needs carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins and lipids [fats] for a well functional metabolism…. All these intakes need to be in the right proportions so that the body is holistically developed.”
Mr. Mwamodo also pointed out that: “Indeed there are many out there who are not able to access the right foods because of poverty … African thinking [about food] is hinged on quantity and not quality. This is what we need to change.”
In the second week, we tackled the links between agriculture and nutrition. Broadcaster Victoria Asumani from Malawi commented: “Many farmers mostly grow one type of crop which [ends up giving them only one] food crop. This might lead to the lack of nutritious foods … So what these farmers must do always is to grow different varieties … [of] vegetables, fruits, legumes and other cereals.”
Joyce Kinabo responded: “We need to encourage farmers to produce diversified crops for the very reasons that you have identified. This should be coupled with empowering them with knowledge and skills on utilization (processing and preparation) of the foods for consumption, and also the importance of the foods in the body and for their health. I believe that if this is made clear, many farmers will start to diversify their production.”
Ms. Kinabo cautions that it’s not just about farmers’ knowledge. She asks: “How much have [governments] done to assist farmers to produce diversified crops? … The training of agric extension workers and nutritionists should include linking agric to nutritional outcomes.”
In the third and final week, we had an interesting discussion on how women’s traditional roles are tied to cooking for and feeding their families. Many participants felt that women should be better educated about nutrition because of these roles. Others emphasized that nutrition is not just a women’s issue, and that everyone should be educated about nutrition.
Pauline Kalumikiza from Malawi highlighted the fact that traditional roles foster inequality: “I think women play a very important role in contributing to nutrition for the family. And yet when it comes to decision making on, for example, what crops to grow, it is the men who lead and even [spend] the money.”
Highlights from the survey
We want to thank all e-discussion participants who completed a survey we distributed at the end of the discussion. We’re pleased to announce that the winner of our draw for $50 CDN in mobile credit is Adeline Nsimire from Radio Bubusa FM in the DRC. Congratulations, Adeline! Stay tuned for a Barza Wire Spotlight on Adeline and her work.
Here are some highlights from the survey:
- 67% of survey respondents said their knowledge of nutrition was strong after taking part in the e-discussion.
- 47% of respondents feel very confident in their ability to produce a radio program on nutrition after participating.
- 87% of respondents liked having nutrition specialists on hand to answer their questions, and 80% of respondents felt they learned from the specialists.
Survey respondents had the following recommendations:
- Make sure that subject matter specialists are available and ready to answer questions thoroughly and promptly.
- Provide at least two weeks’ notice before the start of a Barza e-discussion.
- Revisit the topic of nutrition and go into more depth on gender and nutrition, linking it with the impact on child nutrition.
- Provide pre-determined topics for each e-discussion, but consider having participants launch their own topics as well.
- Improve on the navigability and user-friendliness of the Barza discussion site
We have taken your recommendations to heart and will incorporate them into future Barza discussions. Stay tuned to Barza for details of upcoming e-discussions.
Although the nutrition discussion is no longer facilitated, it’s never too late to check it out and post a comment. Simply go to: http://discuss.barza.fm/c/english/nutrition
We are always open to receiving your suggestions and comments. We love to hear from you! Please do not hesitate to contact us at: barza.fm@farmradio.org.