Berea, July 09 — The Department of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition, under the Corn Exchange (CX) Resource has embarked on a journey to train locals on how to build traditional ovens as part of promotion of food and dietary diversification.
According to CX Resource Centre Area Technical Officer (ATO) Nutrition, Ms. Rearabile Nthako said historically the traditional or mud ovens have transcended from generation to generation, bringing together families, social groups with one objective of preparing freshly baked meals.
Ms. Nthako said regardless of the modern technology which has influenced the invention of gas and electricity stoves among others, the traditional ovens still remain relevant even in the current era as another method of cooking.
“Even today, bread, cakes baked in the mud oven still have a unique taste and that proves their importance,” she boldly said.
She pointed out that the motive behind engaging the locals on the initiative is to enlighten and capacitate them with skills that can transform their respective lives with the locally available materials.
“Unlike the modern ovens, the traditional or mud ovens are designed in such a way that they can distribute heat evenly and thus produce some amazing results at low costs,” she explained.
She further said for sustainability of the project, their plan is to expand the initiative to eight Nutrition Clubs which currently have a membership of 111 people.
Additionally, she said apart from household consumption, the nutrition clubs can use the traditional ovens as another way of income generation by baking pizzas, cakes and bread for the locals and thus sustaining their livelihoods.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Makhafo Rants’o from Ha Thuhloane said during her childhood, they used to buy cakes while at primary school from women and not knowing where they come from, but it once came to her attention that they were actually produced from the traditional ovens.
Mrs. Rants’o said they consider themselves lucky to become part of the training, adding that they do not have electricity at their village and as a result, having a traditional oven at their door steps is a game changer.
She highlighted that they are looking forward to starting baking so that they can sell cakes, bread, scones just like other women who have already started the project as part of addressing unemployment.
Mrs. Rants’o said the most impressive issue about the traditional ovens, they are not costly and easy to operate, they use less energy as opposed to the electricity ovens.
Meanwhile, Corn Exchange Resource Centre indicated that their plan to complete the project of training and building of the traditional ovens for the locals by the end of July.
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