🌿 Promoting Nutritious Diets Through Cooking Demonstrations in Central Oromia

Cooking demonstration activities were successfully conducted in selected kebeles of Lume and Hitosa woredas in Central Oromia, covering parts of East Shewa and Arsi zones.

In Ethiopia, the consumption of green leafy vegetables remains low among women of reproductive age and children, limiting access to vital nutrients essential for growth, immunity, and overall health. To help bridge this gap, Solar Village Ethiopia, in collaboration with Feed the Future Ethiopia Transforming Agriculture (FtFETA), organized practical cooking demonstrations aimed at improving dietary practices at the household level.

The sessions featured the preparation of nutritious, affordable, and locally available dishes, including:

• Fresh salad prepared with carrot and avocado

• Kale cooked with potato

• Cabbage prepared with carrot, beetroot, and potato

• Egg mixed with vegetables

• Nutritious vegetable porridge

These demonstrations emphasized safe and hygienic food preparation while promoting the production, availability, and regular consumption of green leafy vegetables.

The initiative seeks to strengthen household food security and improve dietary diversity by encouraging families to integrate nutrient-rich vegetables—high in iron, calcium, and other essential micronutrients—into their daily meals.

The activity will be expanded to selected kebeles of Ginbichu and Ada’a woredas, reaching a total of 600 smallholder farmers. Following the demonstrations, participants are expected to adopt improved cooking practices and increase their consumption of green leafy vegetables, contributing to better nutritional outcomes within their households.