book for PDF - John Snow International Europe

Food securityAlways include perennial crops (such as fruit trees, moringa, pigeonpea, Madagascar bean, cassava,) in the garden and maize area so thatthere will always be something growing even during the dry season orduring dry spells. This will ensure that your family has healthy food allyear round.Because water is often scarce during the rainy season you may not beable to grow any vegetables or crops. To have a good supply of healthyfood all year round you can grow crops that can be stored such aspumpkins, squash and sweet potato. Other vegetables can be dried suchas green vegetables, tomatoes, onions, carrots and green beans. Topreserve nutrients dry vegetables in the shade or use a solar drier.Crop selectionThe type of crop that you choose to grow depends on:• the size of your land• water availability• soil type• waterloggingChouchous are a usefulcreeping perennialcrop that can be grownup walls and on fencesin urban areas. The leavescan be eaten like pumpkinleaves once the stringhas been removed.The fruit can beadded to stews orused to thicken soup.37