A Strong Push for SuPoshan to Climb over COVID19

Good nutrition took the centre stage amidst many COVID19 related restrictions during the Poshan Maah 2020 ie September which is celebrated as the ‘Nutrition Month’ under the Indian Government’s Poshan Abhiyaan. The celebrations gave hope but also made it clear that the challenges to our country’s nutritional security are now more pronounced than ever. India was en route to chase its 2025 target for becoming malnutrition-free by 2030 – in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which were adopted in 2015 – before COVID19 struck.

With lives and livelihoods of the underprivileged population in danger, nutrition is far from their minds, and more importantly, reach. As per the latest report published by the Global Panel on Agriculture and Food Systems for Nutrition, “three billion people are unable to afford even the cheapest, locally available, healthy diets”. This single-handedly contributes to the vicious cycle of intergenerational undernutrition – resulting in undernourished mothers giving birth to infants with low birth weight, who are likely to experience sub-par growth and ultimately, lead a poor quality of life. The situation often escalates into lifetime, and even intergenerational, inequality. 

This impacts the low and middle-income nations’ ability to meet other SDGs, specifically those related to inequalities, good health and well-being, but also to economic development at large. As per the report cited above, in 2019 there were roughly 47 million pre-school children who were wasted ie too thin relative to their height. “South Asia, led by India, is home to more than half of all the world’s wasted children”, the report states. Moderate and acute wasting raises the risk of disease-related premature mortality for children. Similarly, other forms of malnutrition compound into complex health issues, burdening families and weighing down the health infrastructure.

We are at the brink of a worsening health crisis and reversal of the overall social gains made so far – in the mental and physical development of children, in achieving the prosperity of families and growth of our country. Delivering healthy diets to marginalized communities is the need of the hour. This requires investment of time, energy and funds but failing to do so will cost our country a lot more. It is important to note that an energy sufficient diet is not necessarily nutrient-rich or even nutrient-adequate. 

Through project Fortune SuPoshan, Adani Foundation has been striving to enable people to make informed dietary choices since 2016; in line with national health goals and global SDGs. Community resources are trained to become SuPoshan Sanginis, who spearhead the project by prompting curative and preventive action with an emphasis on behavioural change at family level. The project works closely with Anganwadi and Asha workers at village level and with the ICDS department at district level. While taking a life-cycle approach to alleviate malnutrition and anaemia – in children (0-5 years), adolescent girls, pregnant women and lactating mothers – the project supplements the initiatives of Poshan Abhiyaan. 

The SuPoshan Sanginis fill the knowledge and information gap – from carrying out anthropometric examinations and health screenings, to conducting cooking demonstrations and referring beneficiaries to Government schemes for further treatment. In exchange, they receive an honorarium. Having resources from within the community helps in engaging with the societal and cultural mindset in rural areas. Like garnering support of the panchayat for conducting village level events or taking the mother-in-law into confidence to choose institutional delivery for her daughter-in-law. The benefits of cultivating these resources are more evident amidst the ongoing health crisis, as they raise awareness about hand-washing, distribute masks and tele-counsel fellow citizens.

The goal is to encourage dietary diversity while embracing cultural traits and leading an organic shift towards nutrient-rich foods which are sustainably produced. In this regard, the Poshan Maah 2020 theme of popularizing Nutri-Gardens (kitchen gardens) and including millets in our daily diets were perfectly aligned. Take the case of Narmada – a tribal district declared to be aspirational by NITI Ayog. Here, SuPoshan Sanginis promoted hassle-free planting of nutritious, seasonal and local plants in personal backyards. They telephonically collected details of harvest and shared nutritious recipes. Resultantly, amidst a pandemic, 1000 beneficiary families could save money while maintaining a good nutritional dietary intake through the supply of fresh vegetables between March and June. The SuPoshan Sanginis also spread awareness about multiple health benefits of various types of millets, which require less water to grow and don’t attract pests.

Through such efforts of 634 SuPoshan Sanginis, our project teams have impacted 15 lakh lives in 1,268 villages and 106 slums, spanning across 23 sites in 12 states of India. As the ongoing health crisis exacerbates all forms of malnutrition, Adani Foundation will continue to strengthen its bid to make good nutrition available and accessible. I hope that organizations and government bodies across the country will also renew their pledge for nutrition. Together, we can nurture a healthy demographic dividend and a sustainable food ecosystem.