Using a motorcycle where a car could not go
- Jan 1, 2026
- 2 min read
Updated: Mar 2
Based on his work plan, Y1|Q2 was dedicated to developing a systematic review paper, developing data collection tools, applying for ethical clearance, and engaging stakeholders preliminarily. So far, a systematic review paper has been designed and submitted to a journal and is currently under review.
Data collection tools had been developed and tested, and ethical approval from the University of Dar es Salaam's ethics review board was successfully obtained. Processes for obtaining ethical approval and stakeholder engagement were delayed by post-election violence in Tanzania from October 29 to early November 2025. Despite these setbacks, efforts were made to maintain progress by rescheduling engagement activities and increasing communication with relevant stakeholders once conditions stabilised.
Moving forward, the focus will be on finalising data collection (which began in January 2026), continuing stakeholder consultations, and analysing preliminary data to inform subsequent phases of the project. Additionally, contingency plans have been put in place to ensure that unforeseen disruptions do not significantly delay the research's overall timeline and objectives.
Dr Ndimo has mainly engaged with three stakeholder groups: the first is the Njombe regional office authorities, who have promised full support throughout the project. This office issues entry permits at the grassroots level and provides moral and material support related to the project. The second group consists of nutritional officers from the Njombe region, represented by the regional nutritional officer as well as district and ward nutritional officers. The regional nutritional officer has already reviewed his data collection tools and linked Dr Ndimbo with district-level nutritional officers. These have also promised full support during the entire project. The third group is NGOs, with whom he has begun communicating through the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) to explore opportunities for collaboration.
In the past few months, Dr Ndimbo has attended several webinars on food security and child malnutrition organised by different institutions across the globe. He has also consulted various stakeholders, including academics and nutrition officers.
Dr Gabriel Ndimbo reporting on his progress for the following research project: Food Insecurity and Children's Malnutrition Severity in Agroecological Zones of Tanzania: Insights from Njombe Region.
Edited by Heidi Sonnekus & Leti Kleyn for the FAR-LeaF programme.
