Bihar to Establish Nutrition Gardens in Government Schools to Combat Malnutrition

Nutrition gardens will be established in government schools with the aim of protecting the students studying in government schools in rural areas of the state from malnutrition and providing them nutritious food. This garden will be established through MNREGA scheme under the Rural Development Department. In this regard, an online workshop was organized with all the districts under the chairmanship of Commissioner, MNREGA.

The topic of the workshop was- 'Creation of Nutrition Garden under Mahatma Gandhi NREGA'. Addressing the workshop, the MNREGA Commissioner said that in the first phase, it has been decided to establish a nutrition garden in all the blocks of the state. For this, government schools located near the block office are being identified, which are equipped with boundary walls and hand pumps. Nadep tank is also to be constructed for the availability of organic manure for the nutrition garden. He expressed hope that after the implementation of this scheme, the quality of mid-day meals will increase.

MDM Deputy Mission Director Shri Baleshwar Prasad Yadav discussed the benefits of nutrition garden in the workshop. UNICEF Nutrition Specialist Antaryami Das also addressed the workshop.

Poshan Vatika is being established with the convergence and coordination of Rural Development Department and Education Department. Apart from fruits like Amla, Drumstick, Lemon, Guava, Jamun, Mango, Jackfruit, Pomegranate, Litchi, Sitafal, other fruits and vegetable plants will be planted in this garden, which will ensure nutritious mid-day meal to the students.

The plants to be planted in the Poshan Vatika will be purchased from the nursery of Jeevika Didi. Employment opportunities will also be created at the local level through Poshan Vatika. Under the policies of MNREGA, local villagers will be selected as Vanposhak. The selected Vanposhak will take care of the plants planted in the Poshan Vatika and will do the work of irrigation. Vanposhak will be able to provide their services for the next 5 years.

In this workshop, Deputy Director of MDM Baleshwar Prasad Yadav, Nutrition Specialist Pragati, UNICEF Nutrition Specialist Antaryami Das, besides State Advisor of UNICEF, Deputy Development Commissioners of all the districts, District Program Officer of MNREGA and District Project Manager of Mid Day Meal, besides senior officials of Bihar Rural Development Society participated.