Fruits and vegetable stakeholders convene in Arusha to discuss interventions
Arusha. Fruits and Vegetables have high nutritional value and their consumption is necessary for better health.
Yet, their intake remains low in Tanzania, Africa and around the whole world. This is said to contribute to increased malnutrition.
In addition, ailments associated with poor diets are increasingly one of the leading causes of premature death worldwide.
With that reality in mind, stakeholders from different parts of the world are convening for a two-day conference in Arusha dubbed Fresh Science Conference 2024 to discuss the barriers that contribute to low consumption of fruits and vegetables and to identify policy and action programme and project priorities required to ameliorate the situation.
In his opening remarks, Dr Gabriel Rugalema; Associate Director General for Africa and Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa, World Vegetable Center said the conference is part of Fruit and Vegetables for Sustainable Healthy Diets (FRESH) research initiative work to design, test, and scale approaches to sustainably increase fruits and vegetable intake using end-to-end approach and a food systems lens.
Rugalema called for the conference participants to look beyond the conventional framework of intervention to include other essential elements such as strengthening seed systems of fruits and vegetables, changing mindsets and cultural constructs on consumption of fruits and vegetable at family level and re-evaluate entry points that are aligned with the reality on the ground.
In his key note address, representing the Arusha Regional Commissioner’s Office, Daniel Roiruki remarked that poor diets are a primary cause of malnutrition and the leading cause of disease worldwide emphasized the need to improve diets, especially increasing fruit and vegetable intake. He pledged his office’s support to promote production and consumption of fruits and vegetables in Arusha region.
Dr. Deanna Olney, Global Coordinator of the FRESH initiatives from International Food Policy Research Institute presented research findings noting that “Specifically, FRESH seeks to understand consumers ’dietary patterns and drivers of low fruits and vegetables intake to identify ways to shift dietary behaviors. “
Furthermore, Dr. Nyamizi Bundala informed the participants of the precarious low levels of fruits and vegetables consumption. She pointed out the extent fruits and vegetables intake are below recommended levels globally. The nature of poor diets and the low consumption of fruits and vegetables are complex and require integrated approaches that address not just the consumption but also the availability, accessibility, affordability, and desirability.Dr Bundala also mentioned the national policies on interventions in improved nutrition.
The two-day conference will mainly focus on research and activities implemented in Tanzania and the East Africa region and also leverage learnings and experiences from other countries to enhance fruits and vegetables supply and consumption.
