Cereal-based diets of the poor are qualitatively deficient in micronutrients-vitamins and minerals due to low intake of vegetables, fruits, legumes and foods of animal origin. Consumption of nutritious millets has also come down in India. Calorie sufficiency may ensure protein sufficiency, (though not protein quality), but it does not ensure adequacy of micronutrients. For almost 2 decades, The Dangoria Charitable Trust has been experimenting with Nutritionally sensitive and environmentally sustainable agriculture for improving food and nutrition security in villages of Medak district in the South Indian state of Telangana. With advocacy, education and training, even small and marginal farmers can be persuaded to diversify from traditional crops like paddy and sugarcane to growing micronutrient dense vegetables and fruits, The package of interventions included free distribution of good quality seeds and saplings of a variety of micronutrient dense vegetables and fruits with technical know-how and do hohw. Women raised saplings of plants like moringa, curry leaves, creeper spinach ( basilla alba) which were purchased from them for distribution. Green methods of farming like vermicopositing and botanical pesticides like neem seed decoction and chilli garlic decoction were also introduced. Families with pregnant women and 6 to 24 months old children were specifically targeted.Robust health and nutrition education,( behaviour change communication) particularly of pregnant women and mothers of preschool children was a very important part of the strategy. Knowledge attitude and practice practi surveys of mothers with children under 2 years of age were done initially and endline to examine the impact on mothers' understanding. Family diet surveys were also done
There was a remarkable increase in families growing vegetables and fruits following intervention.. Household consumption of vegetables, particularly green leafy vegetables also increased significantly., and Most importantly mothers' knowledge of food and nutrition, including infant and child feeding practices, hygiene and common infectious diseases, their causes and management showed remarkable increase.
Backyard poultry with few high egg-yielding birds were sold to the families.This also significantly improved household egg consumption.
For best results technological engineering should be combined with social engineering. Families were encouraged to consume home-grown foods rather than sell it. Horticulture intervention may meet family's demand for vegetables, but that will not be sufficient to combat hidden hunger. A more comprehensive package including legumes, millets and animal foods would be necessary.
Homestead production has a special role in the present corona pandemic where mobility and transport are affected. Government and agriculture extension workers should be sensitised for such a strategy.
See the attached publications
Dr.Ms Mahtab S. Bamji,
INSA Emeritus Scientist, Dangoria Charitable Trust,Hyderabad
(Director Grade Scientist, Retd.National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, India)
Address for correspondence: 211, Sri Dattasai Apartments, RTC Cross Rds, Hyderabad, 500020
Rural Centre: Dangoria Charitable Trust Hospital, Village Narsapur, Medak District,
Andhra Pradesh .,502313
Web site: www.dangoriatrust.org.in
Dr. Mahtab S.Bamji