Uplift household-level nutritional security by maximum use of Home Garden production and uncommon vegetables
In the current context of Sri Lanka, achieving a balanced meal is challenging, which leads to food insecurity (UNICEF, 2023). Therefore, to minimize this issue a research team from the Department of Applied Nutrition of Wayamba University of Sri Lanka conducted a study to design One-Dish Meals (ODMs) for using underutilized and uncommon vegetables and grains such as pumpkin, winged bean, mung bean, cowpea and green leafy vegetables. The study aimed at designing nutritious and high-satiety response ODMs at affordable prices. The ODM concept ensures proper nutrition in a single meal through a balanced ratio of calories, protein, fat, and carbohydrates, including plant-based vitamins and minerals (One-Dish-Meals-of-South-Asia, 2015).
After the successful results of sensory and satiety response evaluations done by the Wayamba University team, it was tried to expand to a broader area in Sri Lanka. The Ministry of Agriculture and Plantation Industries (MoA&PI) seeks to implement this intervention with the collaboration of the Wayamba University of Sri Lanka (WUSL) under the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) which is financed by the World Bank.
Therefore, a Training of Trainers (ToT) was conducted with the resource persons from the WUSL, under the guidance of MoA&PI, and implemented by the CSIAP with the multi-sectorial collaboration in Sri Lanka. Out of 93 participants (18 male & 75 female), 14 participants were from the educational sector, 05 participants from the health sector, 69 participants from the agricultural sector, and 05 participants from other relevant institutions. A practical ToT session was conducted recently, at the In-Service Training Center, Gannoruwa.
The ODM concept directly ensures the following:* Food accessibility
* Food availability
* Food Utilization of the Poor People.
At the end of the ToT program, participants were able to understand the maximum use of underutilized vegetables, and the use of uncommon vegetables to the ODM, and gained knowledge on dietary diversity and enhancement of household nutrition.
3o One-Dish Meals prepared and demonstrated are below
1-Waya Pumpkinach Melange | 2-Waya Pumpkinasia Patch | 3-Waya Murungasia Rice | 4-Waya Ashybean Sizzle | 5-Waya Beetanash Mix | 6-Waya Pumpkileeks Savory | 7-Waya Cowpeanach Combo | 8-Waya Leeky Pea Carota | 9-Waya Ashleekin Medley | 10-Waya Leeky Cowpeanash | 11-Waya Long Lasiea | 12-Waya Chickpea Delight | 13-Waya Drumstick Bliss | 14-Waya Sweetpotato Savor | 15-Waya Veggie Burst |16-Waya Juneplums Medley | 17-Waya Split Pea Delight | 18-Waya Okra Medley | 19-Waya Star Bean Mix | 20-Waya Daikon Bliss | 21-Waya Brinjal Bounty | 22-Waya Brinjal Moringa Stir | 23-Waya Goober Soy Delight | 24-Waya Peanut Crunch | 25-Waya Baby Jackfruit Delicacy |26-Waya Moringasia Blend | 27-Waya Lasia Lotus Rice | 28-Waya Kohlrabi Stick | 29-Waya Munggo Sweet Mix | 30-Waya Vigna Jacky Mix
Written by Rashmi Navanjana, Project Trainee, CSIAP
