Integrating indigenous knowledge of the Batwa and Benet peoples of Uganda to document forest fruits that can strengthen nutrition and food security.
This project works with the Batwa of southwestern Uganda and the Benet of Mount Elgon to document, taste-test and revive nutritious wild forest fruits that have quietly disappeared from local diets. It combines participatory ethnobotany, nutrition science and community storytelling.
Objectives
- Document indigenous knowledge of nutritious forest fruits with the Batwa and Benet.
- Analyse the nutritional value of prioritised species.
- Support community-led propagation and use of these fruits.
- Advocate for the inclusion of indigenous foods in local nutrition policy.
Activities
- Elder-led knowledge walks and species identification.
- Community nutrition dialogues, especially with women and youth.
- Sampling and laboratory analysis of prioritised fruits.
- Development of illustrated, community-owned knowledge products.
Outcomes
- A curated inventory of underutilised nutritious forest fruits.
- Restored intergenerational transmission of indigenous food knowledge.
- Community champions equipped to promote local nutrition.
By re-centring indigenous knowledge, the project strengthens food security, nutrition and cultural pride for two historically marginalised peoples — while contributing evidence to national conversations on climate-resilient diets.
