Overview

Aligning Agriculture and Diet in the Himalayas through Action Research project aims to build a model ecosystem that provides local communities access to affordable micro-nutrients throughout the year while enhancing the livelihood opportunities of the farmers. This would improve the nutrition status of the Himalayan population through better food systems through active engagement with the community in the Mukteshwar region in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand. The objectives of this project being led by FOLU India core partner TERI are:

• Strengthen sustainable agri-practices, and re-introduce local nutrient-dense products in the diets of climate-sensitive district of the Hindu Kush Himalayan region
• Nutritional awareness of women, children and overall community in the study area, focusing on diet diversification and consumption of nutrient-dense foods
• Developing and promoting the intake of micronutrient-rich local products in the local community across income groups and seasons
• Engage local institutions in food processing (using renewable energy) and sales of micronutrient-rich products through linkage with Poshan Abhiyaan and e-marketing channels
• Develop mechanisms for enabling convergence of multiple government departments for ensuring better outcomes towards health and livelihood status of the community
• Conduct water quality surveillance in the Mukteshwar region

A series of interactions, titled as SAHELEE, were held in the initiation phase with women famers and Self-Help Group (SHG) members in Mukteshwar to understand the challenges and opportunities for introducing dietary changes.