How can I improve my Nutrition

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Here are a few examples of ways to improve nutrition. These suggestions can help you grow more food or different kinds of food, or store it better so the food does not spoil. Some of these examples bring quick results. Others work over a longer time.

To increase the amount of food a piece of land will produce, try planting different kinds of crops together. For example, plants that grow along the ground can be mixed with plants that grow tall. Fruit trees can be planted above both. Or plants that take a shorter time to grow can be mixed with those that take a longer time. Then the first crop can be harvested before the second crop gets too large.

If you must plant cash crops (non-food crops that you sell), try planting food crops together with the cash crops. For example, plant nut or fruit trees to shade coffee. Or plant cassava with cotton.

Try to find nutritious plants that grow well in local conditions, so that you will need less water and fertilizer for good results.

Rotation of crops: Every other planting season, plant a crop that returns strength to the soil—like beans, peas, lentils, alfalfa, peanuts, or some other plant with seeds in pods (legumes or pulses). For example, plant this year maize, next year beans.

Try to grow a variety of foods. That way, even if one crop fails there will still be something to eat.

Contour ditches will prevent the soil from washing away.

Use natural fertilizers. Set up a compost pile, so you get them for free.

If possible, establish a Food Cooperative with others. The community can buy large amounts of food at lower prices.

Sources
  • Burns, A. A., Niemann, S., Lovich, R., Maxwell, J., & Shapiro, K. (2014). Where women have no doctor: A health guide for women. Hesperian Foundation.
  • Audiopedia ID: en010423