School nutrition gardens: A catalyst for food systems transformation in Rwanda
savdysard
Oct 29
1 min read
Updated: Dec 5
Students and teachers standing at one of the school farm plots in Rwanda. Credit: Savannah Dysard.
In Rwanda, many school children face hunger and poor nutrition, which directly affects their ability to learn and grow. School meals programmes (SMPs) have been instrumental in addressing these challenges, improving attendance and reducing dropout rates—particularly among girls. However, micronutrient deficiencies remain widespread—limiting physical growth, cognitive development, and overall health.
The Food Systems Transformation Through School Feeding project under the CCHeFS initiative addresses this challenge by promoting interventions that integrate nutrient-rich, locally grown crops into SMPs. In Rwanda, researchers seek to improve children’s diets, support smallholder farmers, and foster sustainable, community-driven nutrition interventions. This project spotlight details the status of school nutrition garden interventions in Rwanda.