A Fruitful Effort of MSSRF to Reduce Child Malnutrition
M.S Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) in collaboration with the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) has established 50 Anganwadi Nutrition Gardens in Kalpetta Block Panchayath. The collaboration of ICDS and MSSRF for addressing the malnutrition of vulnerable groups of Wayanad has made effective with the support of Department of Science and Technology. The activity intended to reduce the intensity of child malnutrition of tribal children enrolled in these Anganwadis. The other concerns of the programme are transforming these Anganwadis as the centre of nutrition knowledge and create a replicable model to the state.
The Anganwadi workers unanimously opined that “the nutrition garden benefited very much to enhance diversity and child food intake. Children have aversion to eating monotonous food provided in a two-course meal but currently, the food is more colourful, nutritious and children are very font of consuming it”.