Malnutrition is a serious problem in India, especially among women and children. Global Hunger Index 2021 ranked India at the 101st position among 116 countries. India has been categorized as “serious hunger” due to prevailing undernourishment all over India. Food availability without nutrition can play no use in changing this scenario.
Severe malnutrition in India demands the need for new initiatives to ensure proper nutrition for everyone. Nutrition Smart Village Initiative as a part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav can help India achieve “zero hunger”. A total of 75 villages are to be transformed into Nutrition Smart Villages by All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) centres under this initiative. Targeting states which are having a high number of SAM (Severe Acute Malnutrition) children like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha is very important. Intensifying nutritional awareness programs in these regions involving women and children has become the need of the hour now.
The Fortified rice distribution scheme which was implemented by the government plays a major role in achieving this target. Fortified rice, rice with added micronutrients is distributed to people through Public Distribution System (PDS). It is also distributed to children under the PM POSHAN scheme which has 11.8 crore beneficiaries. This scheme plays a supporting role to Nutrition Smart Village Initiative as most of the village people especially women and children will be benefitted.
Harnessing traditional knowledge to overcome malnutrition is another objective of this initiative. “Traditional food items made of millets must be promoted”, said Sh. Narendra Singh Tomar. Millets such as Jowar, Bajra, Ragi, Rajgira, Kondan, Kangni, and Chenna are nutritional and incur less cost of cultivation. They are rich in protein, iron, fibre, antioxidants. These crops must be cultivated widely and preferences have to be changed to ensure good nutritious food. Millet recipes like Mixed millet bhel puri, Ragi dosa, Jowar medley, Foxtail millet porridge, and Ragi chakli are the few best recipes to be included in the diet. These recipes play a major role in attracting people towards healthier food.
Children nowadays are suffering from hidden hunger. They don’t get sufficient nutrients from the foods they eat. To combat this, the government is aiming to promote Nutrition-sensitive agriculture through homestead agriculture and Nutri-garden. Homestead agriculture, farming by proper integration of agriculture enterprises and recycling of resources can yield healthy grains, vegetables, and fruits for ensuring nutritional security. Nutri-garden projects must be promoted in schools, colleges, and households as well to overcome nutrient deficiencies. The government has taken various initiatives in this regard which include Anganwadi Nutrition Garden, Odisha Livelihood Missions (OLM), etc.
Ensuring nutritional security in villages is quite difficult due to lack of awareness and less income. All 13 AICRP centres should work accordingly in various activities to transform 75 villages as soon as possible. Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) should also involve in providing training to farmers regarding homestead agriculture and Nutri gardens.
