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COMPENDIUM, IEEC-2023   ( ISBN : 978-81-967860-4-5 )
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Theme- 6: Community based Farming System for Nutrition - Achieving Nutritional Security for the Farm Families and Community

Nutri-Smart Villages in India: An Innovative Approach to Ensuring Nutritional Security in Telangana

M. Preethi

Extension Education Institute, PJTSAU, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad.
preethi.manukonda@gmail.com

Abstract

Nutritional security remains a significant challenge in rural areas of India, where limited food accessibility, availability, and dietary diversity persist. To address this pressing issue, Nutri-Smart Villages have emerged as a transformative approach, collaboratively developed by government agencies, and research institutions. This initiative aims to combat malnutrition through integrated, multi-dimensional strategies. At the heart of Nutri-Smart Villages is the transformation of traditional farming practices. By adopting innovative techniques like having a community based nutrition garden and crop diversification models, these villages can achieve higher crop yields and improve the quality of produce. This results in a diverse range of nutrient-rich foods, directly addressing hidden hunger and micro-nutrient deficiencies prevalent in rural India. Community participation plays a vital role in the success of Nutri-Smart Villages. Empowering local communities through capacity-building workshops, training sessions, and women's self-help groups fosters a sense of ownership and sustainability. The convergence of traditional wisdom and modern scientific insights creates a knowledge-sharing ecosystem, driving context-specific solutions for improved nutrition. The implementation of Nutri-Smart Villages in select regions of India has shown promising results. It has led to reduced malnutrition rates, improved health indicators, and boosted overall economic development. Nutri-Smart Villages present a holistic and innovative approach to ensure nutritional security in India's rural landscape. By disseminating and further adopting this transformative model, it has the potential to catalyze a nationwide movement towards building a nourished and healthy India. By converging modern agricultural practices, advanced technologies, community engagement, and nutrition education, Nutri-Smart Villages empower villages towards self-sufficiency and improved well-being. The success of this initiative lies in the collaboration of various stakeholders to address malnutrition comprehensively and foster sustainable change in rural communities. Accordingly, Extension Education Institute, PJTSAU, Hyderabad, launched a 2-year action research project on "Adoption and Establishment of Nutri Smart Village in Telangana."

IEEC-2023 at RARI (SKNAU, Jobner), Jaipur, Rajasthan organised by Society of Extension Education, Agra, India