b'All the major food groups make an appearance on the childrens platesfrom starchy potatoes to iron-rich spinach to meat packed with the necessary protein for healthy growth.The Power of Training production was significantly low. I knew nothing The mountainous, central African nation ofabout animal nutrition. I didnt know the value of Rwanda is sometimes referred to as the landusing fertilizer in farming.of a thousand hills because of its breathtakingAll that changed, however, when she scenery: a lush carpet of green clings to rollingconnected with the Abakundinka group in 2018. peaks and valleys, hills dotted with tea plantationsDriven by a mission to improve local farmers and small farms beneath a brilliant blue sky.productivity, Heifer trains group members on Despite the countrys relatively modest size,livestock practices like growing nutritious fodder, Rwanda is the most densely populated nation inidentifying signs of illness in their livestock and Africaand 70% of its people are engagedhow to construct safe shelter for their cattle. in agriculture.Its a hands-on learning environment. The Though the country has made significantgroup operates a model garden, for example, development strides over the last two decadeswhere farmers can watch and learn how to LEFTover two-thirds of the Parliament are women,successfully grow nutritious animal fodder Local mothersand life expectancy jumped from 29 in the mid-wash and prepare greens at1990s to 69 in 2019challenges persist: 39% of the communitythe population live in poverty and smallholder kitchen. farmers, who mainly practice subsistence MIDDLE farming, often struggle to overcome low levels A young childof productivity for both crops and livestock. sips a glass of milk sourcedUnderproduction contributes to hunger in a from the Heifer- country where almost one-fifth ofsupported dairythe population doesnt have the food they need.farmers group.Despite their role as the main drivers of the RIGHT nations economic activity, farmers are hampered Raising awarenessby a limited use of quality inputs, poor production of sanitarytechniques and inefficient farming practices. Its a practices, like washing handsreality Beatrice Musengimana knows well. before eating, isThe most difficult aspect of my life and work an integral partwas poverty, recalled Beatrice. My cows were of the monthly gathering. thin because of poor feeding and their milk 12| HOLIDAY2022'