Poshan Vatikas

Why is in news? Poshan Vatikas or Nutri- gardens being set up across the country to provide easy and affordable accessto fruits, vegetables, medicinal plants and herbs.

Under ongoing Poshan Maah 2022, activities for setting-up nutri-gardens or retro-fitting Poshan Vatikas with backyard pultry / fishery units is being carried out in a big way across the country.

A key plank of the goal to enable the right kind of nourishment are the Poshan Vatikas or Nutri-gardens that are being set up across the country to provide easy and affordable access to fruits, vegetables, medicinal plants and herbs

The idea is simple; to provide a fresh and regular supply of locally produced fruits, vegetables and medicinal plants to women and children straight from a nutri-garden at or near an Anganwadi Centre.

Poshan Vatikas can play an important role in enhancing dietary diversity by providing key micronutrients through local fruits and vegetables.

Poshan Vatikas are a good example of convergent action on-ground. Beyond the reward of locally available wholesome produce, it will reduce external dependency and make communities atmanirbhar for their nutritional security.

Launched on 8th March, 2018, by the Hon’ble Prime Minister, POSHAN Abhiyaan aims to improve nutritional outcomes for children, adolescents, pregnant women & lactating mothers

The Abhiyaan is a key component of Mission Poshan 2.0 which seeks to address the challenges of malnutrition in children, adolescent girls, pregnant women and lactating mothers through a strategic shift in nutrition content and delivery and by creation of a convergent eco-system to develop and promote practices that nurture health, wellness and immunity.

The month of September every year is celebrated as the Rashtriya Poshan Maah or the National Nutrition Month across the country.

With the slogan 'Jan Andolan' (people's movement), the POSHAN Abhiyaan intends to make the fight against malnutrition a national goal for each citizen.

Theme for Poshan Maah 2022: This year, the objective is to trigger Poshan Maah through Gram Panchayats as Poshan Panchayats with a key focus on “Mahila aur Swasthya” (Woman and Health) and “Bacha aur Shiksha” (Child and Education).