Promoting kitchen gardens for food security

Tackling lack of food sources and malnutrition

The provision of kitchen gardens to tribal communities in reserve forest lands is an initiative aimed at addressing a range of interconnected issues related to food security, poverty reduction, and sustainable natural resource management. The initiative recognizes the challenges faced by tribal communities in accessing food sources, particularly during periods of drought, flood, or other environmental shocks. These communities are often located in remote areas, making it difficult to obtain food supplies, with the nearest market located up to far away. At the health camps held in the Vasai region, a significant number of women were found to be anemic and a large proportion of children were observed to be malnourished. The initiative seeks to empower these communities by providing them with the means to produce their own food, improve their health and reduce their dependence on external sources.

Enabling and encouraging crops to be grown in backyards

The initiative involves providing a variety of seeds such as chawli baji seeds, black brinjal seeds, black-eyed beans, tomato, methi, spinach, ladyfinger, pumpkin, sponge gourd, and ridge gourd to the tribal communities. The communities are encouraged to grow a variety of vegetables that are rich in essential vitamins and minerals. By growing leafy green vegetables and other iron-rich crops in their kitchen gardens, the communities can improve the availability of these essential nutrients, reducing the risk of anemia and other related health issues. The initiative also provides support to build compounds around the garden to prevent hens and rats from feeding on the produce.

Families turn self-sufficient and spend less on transporting food

The provision of kitchen gardens has had a significant impact on the tribal communities. Families are now able to produce their food, reducing their reliance on external sources and ensuring access to food throughout the year. The initiative has reduced malnutrition, particularly among women and children, who are often most vulnerable to health issues related to poor nutrition. The availability of nutritious food has also contributed to the improvement of overall health and the wellbeing of the community, reducing the risk of anemia and other related health issues. Additionally, the initiative has contributed to the conservation of natural resources in the region by reducing the need for external food sources that may require extensive transportation.

Intervention acts as an example to address food access, nutrition and health issues

The provision of kitchen gardens to tribal communities in reserve forest lands has demonstrated its effectiveness in addressing a range of issues related to food access, nutrition, and health, particularly for vulnerable populations such as women and children. The initiative has empowered these communities to become more self-sufficient and resilient, while also contributing to the conservation of natural resources in the region. The success of the initiative has generated interest in the neighborhood, with more households willing to adopt the initiative. The provision of kitchen gardens, therefore, represent a sustainable solution that can be scaled up to benefit more communities facing similar challenges.