Operationalizing the concept of farming system for nutrition through the promotion of nutrition-sensitive agriculture

Despite impressive gains in agricultural production and greater availability of food many people in India suffer from undernutrition. Improvements in agricultural production that lead to greater access to nutritious food could help combat undernutrition. This article in Current Science shares a new farming model to promote improved nutrition outcomes amongst vulnerable farming communities. Five villages in Wardha district of Maharashtra have been selected for the study to evaluate the effectiveness of the farming system for nutrition (FSN) approach. The programme includes on farm demonstrations of arable crops and community nutrition gardens of vegetables and fruits (managed by women). A wide range of nutritious vegetables were promoted in the nutrition gardens to ensure availability to the households in the selected communities.