KIAMBU, Kenya – In a concerted effort to foster healthier dietary habits among its residents, Kiambu County’s agriculture department, in collaboration with the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), recently launched a campaign aimed at increasing vegetable consumption. The initiative, known as “Vegetable for All,” particularly focuses on encouraging the intake of dark green leafy vegetables and other vitamin-rich foods.
According to Kenya News Agency, Wilfred Mwenda, the campaign involves extensive training and sensitization efforts for the local agricultural team. These efforts are geared towards equipping county farmers with the necessary skills for vegetable cultivation and ensuring adherence to best agricultural practices. Mwenda highlighted the importance of the “Vegetables for All” project, which GAIN is implementing to boost the consumption of safe and fresh vegetables not only in Kiambu but also in Nairobi, Mombasa, Machakos, and Nakuru counties over the next five years. The initiative encompasses a range of activities, including seminars and training sessions focused on food safety standards.
Mwenda also emphasized the broader benefits of increased vegetable consumption, citing its impact on health, economic growth, environmental sustainability, and cultural preservation. He underscored the significance of nutrients such as calcium, iron, and magnesium, which are abundant in fruits and vegetables, recommending that adults consume approximately 200 grams of fruit and 250 grams of vegetables daily.
The campaign addresses a critical issue: the link between insufficient vegetable and fruit intake and the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases in the country. This concern was underscored during a two-day training and sensitization program for Sub County Agricultural Officers and Ward Agricultural Officers, focusing on Good Agricultural Practices and Food Safety compliance.
GAIN, a Swiss-based foundation established in 2002 at the United Nations, aims to combat malnutrition globally. The “Vegetables for All” program, launched last year in partnership with Kenya’s Ministry of Agriculture, aims to enhance healthy food consumption by improving supply, boosting demand, and creating a more supportive environment for various vegetables at multiple levels, including individual, household, market, producer, and policy levels.
A GAIN report reveals that Kenya’s current vegetable and fruit consumption stands at 100-130 grams per person per day, significantly below the World Health Organization’s recommendation of 400 grams. Furthermore, only 5.2% of adults aged 18-69 years meet the WHO’s recommended intake of five servings (400 grams) of fruits or vegetables per day. According to the Stepwise Survey 2015, fruits are consumed an average of 2.4 days a week, while vegetables are consumed five days a week in Kenya.