B. Nutrition & Community Action
← Women Empowerment & Livelihood Program
Securing Nutrition through Kitchen Gardens & Community Action
Combat malnutrition at the root by empowering rural women to grow their own food. Through the establishment of organic Kitchen Gardens and vibrant Poshan Melas (Nutrition Fairs), we ensure that every family has access to a diverse, chemical-free, and nutrient-rich diet.
In many rural regions, families sell their best produce for income while consuming a limited, nutrient-poor diet. Samavesh’s Poshan Shakti initiative changes this by placing the power of health back into the hands of women.
Three Strategic Interventions
1. The Backyard Kitchen Garden (Poshan Vatika)
We provide seeds, saplings, and training to women to set up year-round kitchen gardens. These gardens focus on "the rainbow plate", a variety of leafy greens, yellow vegetables, local grains, and seasonal fruits which ensure that fresh, organic nutrition is available just a few steps from the kitchen.
2. Poshan Mela (Nutrition Fairs)
These are vibrant, community-led festivals designed to break the silence around malnutrition. Women’s groups organise cooking competitions using local ingredients, demonstrate low-cost nutritious recipes, and conduct health screenings. These fairs turn “nutrition” from a clinical topic into a celebrated community value.
3. Empowering Women’s Groups
We work closely with local women’s collectives to monitor the growth and health of children in the village. By educating mothers on dietary diversity, hygiene and breastfeeding, we are creating a frontline defence against mal-nutrition, stunting and anaemia.
The Impact
- Revival of Local Dietary Wisdom: Promotion of indigenous, nutrient-dense crops (like millets and local spinach) that are better suited to the local climate.
- Financial Savings: Families save significantly on food and healthcare costs by growing their own produce and preventing nutrition-related illnesses.
- Improved Health Outcomes: Reduction in anaemia among women and adolescent girls, and a measurable decrease in malnutrition (wasting/stunting) among children.