In pockets of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, where the Korku tribes have long grappled with chronic malnutrition, the Caritas India SABAL program is proving how obstacles can be transformed into opportunities. With steadfast dedication, Sabal is working on a mission mode to combat hunger, malnutrition, and undernourishment within these communities to reshape lives.

The Sabal program has its presence across 102 villages in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, bringing forth an integrated approach that addresses not only the immediate challenges of food and nutrition but also the long-term aspirations of livelihood enhancement. Central to this initiative is the empowerment of the Korku tribe, empowering them to transcend the shackles of hunger and malnutrition.

Sabal’s transformative approach lies in the expansion of food crop cultivation, a fundamental shift away from cash crops. This shift aims to increase food availability and enhance dietary diversity at the household level. Over the past seven years, Sabal has achieved remarkable success in convincing the community to allocate more land for food crops and millet cultivation. The fruits of their labour have resulted in the engagement of over 10,000 small landholding farmers, who have brought 20,400 acres of land under food crop cultivation and 1850 acres under millet cultivation. This monumental achievement has extended household food availability by an additional 5 to 6 months during lean periods, significantly reducing vulnerability to undernourishment.

However, challenges persist, with soybean cultivation being a case in point. As a testament to their adaptability and creativity, Sabal has seized this challenge as an opportunity during the ongoing Nutrition Month, also known as POSHANATHON. Here, they introduce Edamame as a nutritional solution to combat malnutrition, particularly among children and mothers.

Traditionally, farmers primarily cultivate soybeans for sale rather than personal consumption. However, during POSHANATHON, mothers are educated on the preparation and nutritional value of edamame. They are encouraged to include this remarkable food in their family’s diet. Edamame, a Japanese delicacy made from immature soybean pods, is boiled and seasoned with salt and lime before being consumed directly or with rice. It is a nutritional powerhouse, rich in vitamins, minerals, and high-quality protein. Edamame is an abundant source of essential nutrients such as Vitamin K and folate, making it particularly beneficial for pregnant mothers. Moreover, its consumption has been associated with mitigating menopausal symptoms and reducing cancer risk.

During Nutrition Month, mothers and children gather at Anganwadi centres to participate in various activities, including the creation of Rangolis—an Indian art form—crafted from locally available fruits, vegetables, and grains grown in the region. The Sabal team seizes this opportunity to educate mothers about the nutritional value of local foods and encourages them to establish nutrition gardens. These gardens diversify their diets and strengthen their resilience against malnutrition.

Informative sessions are conducted on mother and child health and nutrition, spanning critical topics such as pregnancy, institutional delivery, exclusive breastfeeding, and complementary foods for children. The festivities encompass a Vajan Mela (Weighing Festival) and vaccination campaigns, where children undergo profiling, receive vaccination doses and benefit from handwashing stations, all supported by Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs). Pregnant mothers are recognized with health baby posters.

As a takeaway, mothers are provided with saplings of nutritionally important trees cultivated in Sabal community nurseries. This initiative promotes diversification through fruit trees, nurturing the concept of nutrition resilience. In the reporting period alone, 35,500 saplings of nutritionally significant trees have been lovingly nurtured through 19 community nurseries managed by women and adolescent collectives.

POSHANATHON 2023, themed “Healthy Child; Brighter Future,” has been a resounding success. Celebrated in 56 out of the 102 Sabal intervention villages, it saw the enthusiastic participation of 1,779 community members. This inclusive event encompasses pregnant and nursing mothers, adolescent girls, and children under the age of 5. It is an endeavour undertaken in collaboration with the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) and Health departments, with a broader goal of raising awareness and fostering behavioural change among 5,000 women and children throughout September.
By expanding food crop cultivation, promoting nutrition gardens, and introducing edamame as a nutritional solution, Sabal is not merely addressing malnutrition; it is eradicating it at its root. This holistic approach empowers the Korku tribe to build nutritional resilience that is culturally relevant and sustainable, fostering a brighter future for generations to come.