Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 23 April 2025
The ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), North & Middle Andaman, observed the 7th edition of Poshan Pakhwada with a day-long programme on April 22, 2025, aimed at promoting maternal and child nutrition at the grassroots level.
The celebration was aligned with this year’s national themes focusing on community-based nutrition initiatives, the Poshan Tracker App, and the CMAM (Community-Based Management of Acute Malnutrition) module. The event targeted pregnant and lactating women, mothers of children under five, and Anganwadi Workers, raising awareness about the importance of dietary diversity, health, and early childhood nutrition.
Welcoming the participants, Mr. Yatharth Sharma, Subject Matter Specialist (Home Science), emphasized the pivotal role Anganwadi Workers play in improving maternal and child health, especially in rural and remote areas. He highlighted the critical “First 1000 Days of Life” and elaborated on the significance of balanced diets, the cultivation of Poshan Vatikas (nutrition gardens), and the utilisation of digital tools like the Poshan Tracker App.
Mr. Subam Debroy, SMS (Aquaculture), spoke about the nutritional benefits of including fish in the local diet, underscoring its role as a cost-effective source of protein and essential micronutrients—especially important for women and children in island communities.
Mr. Rakesh Dawar, SMS (Agronomy), introduced participants to nutrient-rich and biofortified crop varieties suited to the region, and encouraged the adoption of home-based kitchen gardens to bolster food security and nutrition.
Er. Manoj Kumar, SMS (Agricultural Engineering), shed light on the intersection of women’s empowerment and nutritional awareness, pointing out how participation in agriculture and allied activities can uplift rural women both nutritionally and economically.
Delivering the concluding remarks, Dr. V. Damodaran, Senior Scientist & Head, ICAR-KVK N&M Andaman, emphasized incorporating local, nutrient-dense foods into daily meals to address both malnutrition and lifestyle-related health challenges. He lauded the dedication of Anganwadi Workers in advancing nutrition goals across communities and urged continued efforts to promote healthy practices.
The event concluded with an interactive session, where participants engaged with the experts on topics such as maternal nutrition, child feeding practices, and malnutrition management.
The programme was held under the guidance of Dr. E. B. Chakurkar, Director, ICAR-CIARI, Port Blair. A total of 28 participants took part in the event.