ITANAGAR, 18 Sep: The Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVK) and the Arunachal State Rural Livelihood Mission (ArSRLM), conducted campaigns on nutritional gardening, tree plantation and Poshan Maah on Friday last to create awareness on ‘balanced diet in hilly areas’ and to ensure ‘supply of nutrition through organically home grown vegetables and fruits.’
In Anjaw, about 132 participants participated in the programme organised by the ICAR KVK, wherein Hayuliang ADC S Bellai encouraged farmers and participants to come forward and include local nutria-cereals in their daily diet to increase the nutritional value of food.
BMM Nerswn Daimary spoke on the agriculture and horticulture credit link programme launched by the state government recently and encouraged participants to use local edible plants for better nutrition in food. SMS Social Sciences S Peter Singh highlighted the aims and objectives, components, implementation strategy, convergence and mechanism of the campaign among different departments and organizations. Cluster Coordinator B Kri and SMS Animal Science Dr Santosh Kumar explained about food nutrients.
Later, fruit planting materials and vegetable seeds were distributed to the farmers, and nutritional food was supplemented to the girls.
In West Siang district, the KVK organised the campaign alongside the ‘International Year of Millets’ programme.
The programme included a tree plantation drive, and distribution of planting materials, including saplings of Assam lemon to the farmers. Rabi vegetables seeds were also distributed among 32 progressive farmers.
In order to create awareness on nutritional gardens and importance of balanced food and nutrition of the girl child, a programme was also conducted at Saint Francis De Sales School, Basar where 90 girls participated. They were also provided with balanced food packages.
In Namsai, a day-long programme was organised by the KVK Namsai ICAR RC for NEH Region, and Basar Anganwadi centre of Kunsung village.
Under the guidance of the CDPO, different kinds of traditional food and meals made of millet and nutri-thalis of different tribes were displayed in food stalls.
During the programme, Senior Scientist and Head in-charge, KVK Namsai Dr Debasis Sasmal suggested that participants be aware of their nutritional value intake, while the ZPC spoke about the nutritious value of locally available fruits and vegetables.
SMS Agrometeorology Bidyapati Ngangom created awareness on nutri-cereals and their role in human health and development of nutri gardens for sustainable agriculture. She explained about the nutri thali and the importance of consuming a balanced diet to get essential nutrients from food. She also mentioned the basic components required to develop a nutritional kitchen garden. SMS plant protection Dr Madhumita Sonowal Bora spoke about insect pest infestation and their control measures in cereals and vegetable crops.
All the 71 girl participants were provided food items made of locally available foxtail millet.
During the programme, different types of winter vegetable seeds and about 1000 fruit saplings were distributed among 120 beneficiaries.
In Tawang, an awareness cum training programme for Anganwadi workers and farm women of Dudunghar circle was conducted by the KVK Tawang as part of the Poshan Maah celebration.
SMS (Home Science) Dorjee Yodon Thungon briefed about the importance of Poshan Maah celebration and emphasised on nutrition in human health.
SMS (Agronomy) CK Singh and SMS (Horticulture) Dr AK Tiwari spoke on biofortified varieties, importance of fruits and vegetables and nutritional kitchen gardening layout.
Participating as a guest, CDPO Tashi Dondup appealed to the Anganwadi workers to ensure a balanced diet for children and women to reduce malnutrition.
A plantation programme was also held at the end of the programme. Sanitizers, masks and seeds of vegetables were distributed to the participants.
In Roing, a ‘Poshan’ rally was conducted by the ArSRLM, block mission management unit (BMMU) and the integrated child development services (ICDS) department around Dambuk block to spread awareness on Rashtriya Poshan Maah among the masses.
Nine self help groups (SHGs) from Poblung and Sirang villages participated in the rally which was flagged off by Dambuk CDPO Ijum Doye Bui in presence of BMM Ashen Chaitam.
Addressing the participants, Chaitam highlighted the importance of inculcating a balanced diet, regular exercise and proper hygiene in everyday life.
A recipe competition was also conducted at Tapat village as part of the celebration, wherein SHGs from Yapgo and Tapat villages participated.
Yapgo Ane SHG from Yapgo village won the first prize in the recipe competition while Katon Ane SHG from Tapat and Ojo Ane SHG won the second and third place respectively.
In East Siang, the Pasighat KVK and College of Horticulture and Forestry, organized a day-long awareness cum plantation programme at Borguli village of the district.
Awareness on the importance of ‘poshan vatika for food and nutritional security, particularly for women and children was emphasized upon in the programme.
Demonstration on millet-based value added products was also carried out in observance with the year of millet.
Further, 1000 planting materials, saplings, nutrition garden kits were distributed among 130 participants.
