Poor adaptation strategies to climate change, changing food systems, and malnutrition are the triple scourge affecting most African countries, including Zimbabwe. Zimbabwean young mothers have shifted from traditional cuisine to modern dishes heavily advertised in mass media. This shift has led to consuming high-energy, sugary, fatty, and starchy foods instead of nutrient-dense options, resulting in micronutrient deficiencies causing wasting, stunting, obesity, and anemia. Over a quarter of Zimbabwean children are stunted, a condition that affects their physical and cognitive development.

Previously, traditional communities consumed nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables, millets instead of corn, and maintained a diversified diet and sustainable food system. The Food and Nutrition Council of Zimbabwe has emphasized that all food and nutrition interventions should be based on Zimbabwe’s rich, nutrient-dense culinary heritage.

This project aims to create a cultural village where rural women lead the integration of traditional methods in land preparation, seed preservation, creating seed banks, conservation agriculture, cultivating traditional grains and local seed varieties, teaching traditional recipes, and promoting local fruits and vegetables that are nutrient-dense, environmentally compatible with the savanna climate, locally available, and affordable.

The cultural village will serve as an information and resource hub to create and sustain a nutritious and healthy food system. This initiative will not only protect local communities from the impacts of climate change but also promote better health and nutritional outcomes.

Main Objective:

The project aims to establish a cultural village that empowers rural women in Domboshava with skills in good agricultural practices, integrates traditional grains into food systems and diets, creates seed banks, and promotes the production and consumption of climate-friendly and nutrient-dense millets and local fruits.

Target:

Women and girls in Zimbabwe’s rural Domboshava District.

Project Aims:

• To create a cultural village in Domboshava, Zimbabwe, serving as an information hub and resource center for locally available nutritious foods, traditional grain seed varieties, local fruits, good agricultural practices, local solutions prototyping, and cultural preservation.
• To empower local women with solutions for climate adaptation and sustainable health and food systems.
• To increase awareness of local solutions to nutrition, health, and climate change issues affecting women and girls in rural communities.

Outputs

• A cultural village built in Domboshava, Zimbabwe.
• 100 rural women in Domboshava trained in local solutions to nutrition, health, climate change adaptation, and good agricultural practices.
• 1,000 information brochures produced for the women and their peers.
• A monthly video podcast series on the intersection of local culture, nutrition, and climate change.
• A video documentary on the lived experiences of rural women in Domboshava.

Outcomes

• Increased access to local seed varieties, improved agricultural practices, and better climate adaptation strategies.
• Improved nutritional outcomes in Domboshava District.
• Enhanced awareness of health, nutrition, and climate change issues in Domboshava.
• Join us in building this village and partnering with us to create a sustainable future for our communities. Your support can make a significant difference in promoting health, nutrition, and climate resilience.

Our history with AMBUYA NYAMHUNGA

May 31 2023, sadly Mbuya Nyamhunga passed away. In her honor and remembrance Fishers Foundation is developing a cultural village to promote household food security, nutrition and promote climate action in Zimbabwe’s Domboshava District- Nyakudya Village ‘Ambuya Nyamhunga’. The Government of Zimbabwe gave here a hero’s burial for her work and love for the community

Contact Us

Email: inhaka.fishersecotorism@gmail.com

Phone: +263 719 372 773