Supplementary Nutrition Programme under ICDS: Case Study of Telangana and Tamil Nadu

Government food distribution programmes have the potential to reduce malnutrition at scale. The Supplementary Nutrition Programme (SNP) under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) in India presents a unique example of a state-led food distribution initiative to address malnutrition. Targeted at pregnant and lactating women, children (0-6 years) and adolescent girls, SNP uses an agri-food value chain-based approach to improve the nutrition status of these vulnerable groups. This paper examines the value chain of SNP under ICDS in operation in two states of India, Tamil Nadu and Telangana, with particular reference to reaching nutritious food to the vulnerable group of women and children. The salient features and the innovative aspects of the two value chains are highlighted and the effectiveness of delivery under each is examined.