The concept of developing nutri-gardens at anganwadis will not only help in fighting malnutrition but can also play a crucial role in protecting children and pregnant women from coronavirus infection by reducing their exposure and building immunity, experts have said.
The Women and Child Development Ministry has urged states and Union territories to focus on the nutri-garden initiative for anganwadis.
To tackle malnutrition, the government is identifying locally available nutritious food in different parts of the country that can be grown at anganwadi centres. These gardens are called nutri-gardens.
Experts said that apart from fighting malnutrition these nutri-gardens can also play a role in protecting children and pregnant women from coronavirus infection.
Somya, program manager for health, sanitation and nutrition from Rural Livelihoods Promotion Society popularly known as JEEViKA in Bihar, said in the era of COVID-19, having a nutri-garden at the household level can be very beneficial.
“It restricts movement to crowded places like vegetable markets and also helps save money during the period of economic hardship and organic fruits and vegetables help in improving immunity,” she said. Read More…
