Theme: Healthy Diets
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Mukteshwar, Uttarakhand
January 2021- October 2024
Aligning Agriculture and Diet in the Himalayas through Action Research project aims to build a model agricultural ecosystem that provides local communities access to affordable micro-nutrients throughout the year while enhancing the livelihood opportunities of the farmers. By actively engaging with the farming community in the Mukteshwar region of Uttarakhand’s Nainital district, FOLU India with its core partner TERI sought to enhance the nutrition status of the Himalayan population while strengthening the food systems. The objectives of this project being led by TERI were to:
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.
To know more about project SAHeLEE, read the full compilation of FOLU India’s field commentaries below.
Location: Mukteshwar, Uttarakhand | November 2021 and June 2022
TERI conducted various Focus Group Discussions and interviews with Anganwadi workers, local civil society organisations, fair price shop owners, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and District ICDS (Integrated Child Development Services) Programme Officer. These interactions were aimed at understanding the challenges faced by stakeholders in reducing malnutrition status and achieving nutrition security.
Location: Mukteshwar, Uttarakhand | October 2022
The SHG women were given hands-on training on the development of micronutrient-rich products based on ragi. A complete demonstration of the processing of food items along with the nutritional benefits of the ingredients were explained to them.
Location: Mukteshwar, Uttarakhand | November 2023
Under the pilot study with Anganwadi children ragi products were distributed for daily consumption. Anthropometric measurements and haemoglobin assessment are underway to observe the change in the nutritional status of these children.
Location: Mukteshwar, Uttarakhand | November- December 2023
Mapping activities among children in the local community were done through interactive games to intuitively highlight the most prominent food items being consumed. Further, importance of consuming healthy diversified meals were also explained to them. Local community radio (Kumaon Vani), which is managed by TERI, broadcast a series of five episodes programme on the importance of various aspects of this project.
Location: Mukteshwar, Uttarakhand | May 2022, October 2022 and May-June 2023
Samples from common sources of water in the region were collected and tested for their quality. Results suggested that most of the samples had microbial contamination and needed treatment before consumption.