The Prime Minister’s Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nourishment (POSHAN Abhiyan) launched in 2018 has contributed in a significant manner to improve the nutritional status of children, pregnant women and lactating mothers through a gamut of programmes.
The agriculture and nutrition are intricately linked and the outcome of one directly influences the outcomes of the other. Between the two, the strongest linkage is the farm women who must figure in the large-scale nutrition programme. The concerted efforts of the farmers and agricultural scientists together with enabling policies have made India self-sufficient in food production and the granaries are now brimming. However, the malnutrition continues to exist even today.
The Strengthening of POSHAN Abhiyan can aid in achieving better nutrition and health outcomes of mother and child.
To commemorate 75 Years of India’s Independence, a Programme on “Nutrition Smart Village” has been launched by Shri Narendra Singh Tomar, Agriculture Minister to strengthen the Poshan Abhiyan here at New Delhi today.
In his address, Shri Tomar expressed his concerns about the problem of malnutrition as a major challenge that needs to be dealt with effectively and efficiently. The Union Minister stressed on ensuring the good health of mothers as they are the pillars of a stronger society and the nation. The incorporation of Coarse Grains in the Public Distribution System along with Wheat and Rice was also emphasized by the Union Minister. Shri Tomar accentuated that being nutritionally rich; the Coarse Grains are a perfect solution to eradicate the problems of malnutrition in the society.
Shri Kailash Choudhary, Union Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare outlined the Government of India’s various Schemes and Policies that are aimed at benefiting and doubling the farmers’ income. The Minister accentuated on making the concerted efforts to make nutritious foods available in each person’s reach.
Ms. Shobha Karandlaje, Union Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare was also present during the occasion.
Shri Sanjay Agrawal, Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Government of India stated that with the Government of India’s concerted efforts, the United Nations has declared the Year - 2023 as the International Year of Millets.
Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary (DARE) & Director General (ICAR) highlighted the release of Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi’s developed 85 Bio-fortified varieties by the Prime Minister that will strengthen the Government of India’s Poshan Abhiyan. Dr. Mohapatra stressed on taking the recent agricultural developments to every household in the villages. The Director General urged for including the research and technologies developed in the agriculture sector in the school curriculum. The Nutri-Sensitive Agri-Resources & Innovations (NARI) Programme that is dedicated for the complete eradication of malnutrition from the society was also underlined by the DG. Dr. Mohapatra stated about the ICAR-Central Institute for Women in Agriculture, Bhubaneswar, Odisha that has been given the responsibility to empower the farm women on the various aspects of benefits of nutrition for their good health.
Earlier, in his welcome address, Dr. R.C. Agrawal, Deputy Director General (Agricultural Education), ICAR briefed about the main objectives of the programme. He underlined the execution of the programme under the three major objectives, that is, promoting nutritional awareness, education and behavioral change in rural areas involving farm women and school children; harnessing traditional knowledge through local recipe to overcome malnutrition and implementing nutrition sensitive agriculture through homestead agriculture and nutri-garden. The DDG also highlighted about the implementation of the programme in 75 Villages situated in 23 Districts of 13 States through the Network of ICAR-AICRP on Women in Agriculture besides, the Coordinating Institute located at Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
Dr. Anil Kumar, Director, ICAR-CIWA, Bhubaneswar, Odisha proposed the vote of thanks.
The Dignitaries also released the various Publications on Technology Profile of Food Products, Technical Bulletin on Work Participation & Women in Agriculture in India and Gender Sensitive Agri-Horti Cropping System Model for addressing livelihood, nutrition and entrepreneurship and nutri products containing Millets-based low glycemic index multigrain mixed for prevention of diabetes, Millets-based nutri-dense multi-grain mix for management of under-nutrition and Millets-based high fibre multi-grain mix for management of obesity, etc., during the occasion.
(Source: ICAR-Central Institute for Women in Agriculture, Bhubaneswar, Odisha)
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