In West Bengal’s Murshidabad district, 28-year-old homemaker Sanjima Khatun is combatting anemia by cultivating traditional vegetables in her kitchen garden. Beyond addressing her family’s nutritional needs, she sells surplus produce in local markets to earn extra income. The state’s agriculture department supports self-help groups, like Khatun’s, by providing seeds and guidance to encourage the cultivation of leafy vegetables among women, many of whom face malnutrition and anemia.
Self-help group leaders, trained by senior members and agriculture officials, distribute seeds to members who then grow vegetables using organic manures. Khatun, from Swaruppur village, emphasizes the health benefits of her home-grown okra, red spinach, bitter gourd, sweet gourd, and bottle gourd, cultivated with compost and organic manures.
Apart from fulfilling their families’ vegetable needs, these self-help group members sell excess produce in local markets, contributing to both nutritional and financial well-being. Moumita Mazumdar, Assistant Director of Agriculture, highlights the importance of training villagers in plant care, bio-pesticide creation, and organic manure production.
National Family Health Survey-5 data indicates a significant need for improving the health of adolescent girls in West Bengal, with nearly 71% being anaemic. In Murshidabad district, 73% of women face anaemia. To address this, community nutrition gardens are promoted to enhance dietary diversity and combat hidden hunger. Seasonal fruits and vegetables are recognized as valuable sources of micronutrients, fostering positive nutrition behavior changes.
The initiative receives technical support from UNICEF, with Jayati Mitra, a UNICEF Nutrition officer, emphasizing the role of seasonal vegetables and fruits in combating anaemia. The state government provides free seeds and training, including bio-pesticide and organic manure production, to support year-long vegetable supply.
Praising the initiative, Mitra notes the complexity of anaemia and underscores the importance of micronutrients like folic acid, Vitamin A, B-12, and C. The village women actively encourage their neighbors to cultivate vegetables, fostering a community-driven approach.
Gram panchayats also contribute by funding kitchen gardens. Saharan Bibi, Pradhan of Raipur Gram Panchayat, shares how kitchen gardens beside ICDS centers are funded, providing organic vegetables for children and lactating mothers.
In summary, the holistic approach of promoting kitchen gardens not only addresses nutritional deficiencies but also empowers women economically and fosters community well-being.
