https://avrdc.org/our-work/enhancing-consumption/
Imbalanced diets lead to the death of millions of people each year, particularly in developing countries where micronutrient malnutrition is chronic and debilitating. Vegetables and fruit are important sources of micronutrients such as vitamin A, iron and other phytochemicals that are essential to good health, but consumption in most countries is well below WHO minimum recommendations of 400 grams per person per day.
Smallholder farming families can produce a significant portion of their daily food and nutritional requirements by growing vegetables in household gardens. For urban dwellers with limited space, using container, bag, vertical and other gardening techniques can make the smallest areas productive.
The Center’s analytical work has clarified the important nutritional and health benefits of traditional vegetables. We also breed nutritionally enhanced vegetables, improve traditional recipes for greater nutritional benefits, and distribute home garden seed packs for improved family nutrition and disaster relief.