As much as 30% of the increase is recorded in food crops among households of the Sanjivani programme. The programme addresses the hunger and malnutrition issues among children, adolescents, and expectant and lactating mothers of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.

These achievements were presented during the review and reflection meeting of Sanjivani during 12-13 September 22 at Atmadarshan Prerana Sadan Indore MP. Altogether 21 participants, including Assistant Executive Director, Programme lead, Programme Associate, Finance Associate of Caritas India, Forum Director MP, and 8 project implementing organization Directors and 9 Outreach workers of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh took part.

Speaking at the meeting, Fr. (Dr.) Jolly Puthenpura, Assistant Executive Director of Caritas India pressed on the need for “partnership accountabilities to strengthen the partnership that would lead to better performance in terms of the programme and financial management”.

The food and nutrition security programme with this short period was able to bring tangible cumulative results. One of the immediate results was the shift in favour of food crops among 445 households, 1971 households have increased areas of food crop cultivation. Similarly, communities have adopted sustainable agriculture practices in big numbers, 1752 households started agroecological farming practices. Communities have realized the importance of having fresh and organic vegetables, hence 1617 women farmers and adolescent girls have started nutrition gardens. On the other hand, 4249 households have planted high nutritionally important trees, and 732 households have started practising and popularising IPM/INM.

The programme also succeeded in leveraging the benefits of Government schemes/programmes linked to food security, especially the Public Distribution System (PDS) & Integrated Child Development Schemes (ICDS). The objective also emphasizes empowering communities politically and increasing their access to rights and entitlements related to government-run development and welfare services. Imbibed with the People Led Empowerment approach, a good number of community actions were achieved including the submission of 1511 applications to the Gram Panchayats and relevant Government departments by the project participants, 25 community assets have been created these includes, including community ponds, village approach roads, community hall, school boundary wall etc. 107 households have received eligibility documents such as caste certificate, ration card, Birth certificate Adhar card& Ayushman Card etc. these documents help project participants avail various schemes or for any other legal requirement. 7060 households benefitted from Rs. 8, 05,21,720/-from various benefits schemes available under ICDS, PDS, and MGNREGA.

Some partners expressed that Sanjivani has brought them closer to the communities. It has provided opportunities to work with other stakeholders such as local panchayat functionaries, Agriculture universities, Anganwadi, workers, School teachers and school children, indeed a new working experience.