Agri Nutri Garden in Nrlm Programme: Concept and Concern

Abstract

Proper nutrition is the primary requirement for good health of all individuals as envisaged under National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM). The diet of an average Indian is not properly balanced having more cereals and less vegetables and fruits. Vegetables and fruits provide proteins, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins which are the essential constituents of a balanced diet and acts as a protective food for the life support system. According to the dietary recommendation of nutrition specialists, an adult person should have an intake of 285g vegetables consisting of leafy (75-125g), root (85g) and other vegetables (85g) in different proportions and 85g of fruits per day. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended consumption of at least 400g of vegetables and fruits each day or five servicing of 80 grams each. But in India, we are able to provide only half of the required quantity. It is evident that unless the use of locally available vegetables and fruits is popularized, the poor peoples in India are bound to face health problems. In India, where majority of human population is below poverty line, modern balanced diet is beyond their reach and so it is of very much importance to popularize and adopt the supplementary available in their surroundings. Therefore, cultivation of vegetables, as well as some extent of fruit crops has got enough importance for supplementing cereals as a source of food as well as from nutrition point of view.