India, recognized for its agricultural expertise, is ironically home to the world’s second-highest undernourished population. In the Global Hunger Index 2022, India ranked 107th out of 121 countries, highlighting the urgency of addressing malnutrition, especially among children. In response to this critical issue, Caritas India has embarked on a transformative journey to improve the nutritional intake of school children through the establishment of nutrition gardens on school premises.

The concept of nutrition gardens is a compelling strategy aimed at enhancing national food security and dietary diversity. These gardens play a pivotal role in addressing multifaceted challenges, including anemia among mothers, high rates of stunting, and child mortality. While the Indian government has initiated several measures to ensure food security, the need for innovative approaches to tackle malnutrition remains evident.

Under its Gram Nirman program, Caritas India has been actively engaged in 165 rural villages across Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh. These regions are grappling with poverty, with a significant portion of the population living below the poverty line. The poverty line, as defined by the Indian government, reflects the economic challenges faced by individuals and households in need of support.

In a groundbreaking endeavour supported by Caritas Australia and Australian Aid, Caritas India has empowered 33 rural schools, primarily attended by children from the scheduled tribes and scheduled caste communities, to cultivate nutrition gardens within their premises. The school management committees were instrumental in embracing this innovative concept. The selection of vegetable seeds, enriched with nutritional value, was a collaborative effort involving Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), health workers, and existing farmer groups. These gardens now yield essential vegetables like ladyfinger, tomato, pumpkin, bottle gourd, coriander, leafy greens, and brinjal, which are incorporated into the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM Poshan) initiative, formerly known as the Mid-Day Meal program.

The impact of these nutrition gardens is profound. Suwarna, a fifth-grade student at the Government Primary School in Beejlipara, Netanar – Jagdalpur, Bastar, enthusiastically shares, “We students and our teacher have created a kitchen garden, and now we enjoy green and fresh vegetables every day.” This modest yet ingenious initiative has significantly enhanced the daily nutritional intake of these children, aligning seamlessly with the government’s PM Poshan initiative, which aims to elevate the nutritional status of eligible children and foster regular school attendance among disadvantaged sections.

Govardhan, a fifth-grade student at the Government Primary School in Beejlipara, Netanar – Jagdalpur, Bastar, adds, “We received vegetable seeds from Caritas India, which we planted in our kitchen garden. Now, we have fresh vegetables that are incorporated into our mid-day meals.” This impactful initiative, facilitated by Caritas India, encompasses 33 such nutrition gardens each year, with the model gaining momentum and being replicated in other schools, fostering community ownership and adaptability.

Caritas India’s endeavour to transform school grounds into nutritional havens not only reinforces the nutritional intake of children but also exemplifies the organization’s unwavering commitment to combating malnutrition and enhancing food security, one school at a time.