WOMEN’S GROUPS ARE ON COURSE FOR BETER POTATO PRODUCTION

Visitors and government representatives from across the Khatlon Region arrived at Kizil Namuna Village, Navobod Jamoat of Rumi District, to experience one day of potato activity, taste potato dishes and receive generous village hospitality.

On 5 March 2014 five leaders representing women’s groups from Vakhsh, A. Jomi, Jilikul, Khuroson and Rumi Districts joined a seminar on potato production & research technologies for improving food security and nutrition status in southern Tajikistan.

USAID organized this seminar to share information and best practices on potato growing techniques that play a significant role in improving household food security, income generation and nutritional status of the communities.

The women disseminated information received in this seminar to members of their groups, which range in size from several dozen women to a few hundred depending on the location of the group. A new technique was successfully tested using whole potato seeds.

After discussing the seeding process and harvesting the potatoes, SCI Health Educator Rano Huseinova explained that potatoes are an important part of a person’s diet. “Potatoes remain one of the most inexpensive source of fiber, a great source of vitamin C, B6, folate, a good source of potassium, low in fat, cholesterol and salt,” she said.

“We recommend parents give 1-2 teaspoons of mashed potatoes to children aged over six months to supplement breast feeding,” she added.

The women expressed gratitude for being invited to the seminar conducted by Dr. Carlo Carli and to the Potato Day Event that helped in building up their capacity and self-reliance.

HAPPY POTATO DAY!