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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

Nutritional Security of Farm Families through Nutritional Garden

Alka Singh and M S Baghel

Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Sidhi, MP
alkasingh80@gmail.com

Abstract

When we are supposed to protect ourselves from the virus from the outside, we need to protect ourselves beginning right from within our body by strengthening the immune system. The immune system is indeed complex and is to a great extent impacted by the environment around us. There are many factors that affect the functioning of the immune system. A diet rich in fruit and vegetables not only improves immunity but combats malnutrition because of its richness in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytochemicals. Nutritional kitchen gardening is one of the best options to overcome the problem of malnutrition and contributes to household food security with increased income. The kitchen garden provides an opportunity for farm women to earn money and engage themselves in work along with proper utilization of place and water. The present study was conducted in district Sidhi, Madhya Pradesh with an objective to increase the availability of vegetables in the diet of rural households in order to bring nutritional security. The average production of vegetables in the kitchen garden was found 124.5 kg and the per capita availability of vegetables increased from 180.5 to 255.5 gm/day. As compared to their traditional practice of gardening they earned Rs.2490/-. Kitchen gardening is an imperative tool in our daily lives. The 60 per cent of women in the district have learned the importance and adopted the practice of growing vegetables, fruits and spices which not only raised their economy but also proved beneficial to uproot malnutrition as a remedy in such an inflation scenario in the country.

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