These gardens now produce a variety of fruits and vegetables, contributing to a balanced diet and reducing society’s reliance on market-bought, often less nutritious, foods. This initiative has given women control over their families’ nutrition, improving their health and empowering them.
Similarly, in the tribal areas of Chhattisgarh, the collective efforts of local community leaders have revived traditional agricultural practices. The community has reintroduced local crops such as millets and pulses, which are more resilient to the changing climate and require fewer resources to grow. These crops are rich in essential nutrients and have historically been part of the local diet.
The community’s efforts have not only preserved these traditional foods but also improved the nutritional status of the population, especially children and women.
A qualitative study conducted in several states by the UNICEF-supported NGO Vitamin Angels India found that communities with strong local leadership and grassroots initiatives showed significant improvements in dietary diversity and nutritional outcomes.
According to government data, approximately 17% of children aged 0-5 are underweight, 36% are stunted and 6% are wasted (very thin for their height, indicating acute malnutrition). Stunting, wasting and underweight are key indicators of malnutrition in children aged 0-5.
While the study emphasized that government programs and interventions are important, it was stated that community participation and initiative are critical to the success and sustainability of these efforts.
One of the key findings of the study was that communities with local active participation in nutrition-related activities, such as kitchen gardening and growing traditional crops, had higher consumption of diverse and nutritious food.
Using a mix of focus group discussions, in-depth interviews and home observations, the research reveals how collective and individual contexts, ranging from socio-cultural norms to economic hardship, influence dietary practices in diverse communities such as brick kiln workers, fishermen and saltworks workers.
This was particularly evident in areas where women played a central role in these initiatives. The study also noted that these communities were more resilient to food insecurity and better able to cope with economic and environmental challenges.
For example, the study examined the lives of salt pan workers in Jodhpur, who prioritized feeding their children despite financial hardship. They ensured that their children never went hungry, even if it meant offering biscuits or bread and milk. It argued that while government initiatives provided the necessary framework and resources, real change occurred when communities took responsibility for these programmes and adapted them to their local contexts.
Several important recommendations emerge from the study to improve the effectiveness of nutrition interventions for pregnant women and children under five. First, there is a critical need to strengthen the role of ASHA and Anganwadi workers, who are often the primary source of health information in many communities. The reach and impact of nutrition programmes can be significantly increased by providing these workers with improved training to provide advice tailored to the specific socio-cultural and economic contexts of the families they serve.
Subsidies for essential complementary foods are another vital measure to address the financial barriers faced by many families. The study suggested that these subsidies would ensure that children, even in economically disadvantaged households, receive essential nutrients at critical developmental stages. Additionally, encouraging the blending of heritage knowledge with modern nutritional understandings could lead to more culturally acceptable and effective practices.
Health education programs that respect and embrace local beliefs and promote scientifically supported practices are more likely to be successful in achieving sustainable behavior change.
Support for maternal health is also very important. Implementing programs that provide pregnant women with supplementary nutrition or rest, especially during the last trimester, can have a positive impact on both maternal and child health outcomes.
These programs should be designed with an understanding of local family structures and dynamics and should be accessible and acceptable within the community.
Community-based nutrition programmes should be developed to highlight the importance of child nutrition and encourage collective action. Workshops and information sessions led by trusted community members or health professionals can play an important role in disseminating information and promoting healthy practices.
Finally, improving access to fresh and nutritious food, especially in remote or economically disadvantaged areas, is essential. This could include initiatives such as creating community gardens, improving market access, or providing transportation subsidies to reach markets with a wider variety of foods.