Sowing seeds of change

Dara Otilicho, Sidama, blessed with fertile land and a climate conducive to agriculture, holds immense potential for abundant harvests. Yet, the community has long been burdened by high rates of malnutrition.

Families have small farms and rely on just one harvest a year, depending on rain. They also lose many of their crops after harvest, and frequent climate shocks worsen things. This leads to low food production, food shortages, and limited access to nutritious diets. Traditional diets also rely heavily on staples, offering little in the way of nutritional variety.

Mathias, a father of two, once faced these challenges. Though he owned a sizable farm, his family’s diet was limited to staples like false banana, cassava, and maize, with vegetables considered a luxury. His six-year-old son, Mastewal, is notably small for his age, reflecting the widespread nutritional deficits in the area.

However, UNICEF’s Community Nutrition Livelihood Programme is sowing seeds of change. The programme integrates nutrition with agriculture, benefiting around 200 households. Families receive agricultural training and seeds for nutrient-rich vegetables and chickens for egg production. This support enables them to diversify their diets, supplement their income, and improve their health

For Mathias and his family, the programme has been life-changing. A year ago, his family joined the initiative, receiving training, seeds, and chickens. Today, their farm is a flourishing garden of cabbage, carrots, beetroot, tomatoes, and legumes.

“The main purpose of having this farm is to feed my children and their mother well. It’s important that they have vegetables and protein. The second is to sell what’s left over at the market for extra income,” says Mathias. Thanks to the additional earnings, they have expanded their farm, purchased a goat, and converted their hut into a home. They plan to buy a cow for milk.

Now, the family enjoys a varied and balanced diet. Mastewal’s favourite meal is eggs with tomatoes, and his mother, Haymanot, is eager to introduce nutritious porridge to her youngest, Mewait, once she turns six months old. “It makes me feel happy as a mother that I can feed my children well. They’re going to grow big and healthy,” Haymanot says.

Mathias also helps other families in his community. “If I see a family struggling, I share whatever I have with them. But more importantly, I show them how to start their own farms and what to plant to improve their diet,” he says.

The programme also empowers mothers to take charge of their family's nutrition. Through Women's Nutrition Care Groups, mothers like Haymanot learn about balanced diets and the importance of diverse food groups. These women meet regularly, discovering nutrient-dense cooking recipes based on locally available and affordable ingredients, and discussing key issues around nutrition and health in the community—creating a strong support network that drives the community's fight against malnutrition.

UNICEF supports the Government of Ethiopia in reducing malnutrition through the Community Nutrition Livelihood Programme, reaching families in highly food-insecure areas and helping to plant the seeds of a society free from malnutrition.