Technical Training on State Government Nutrition Program

While India’s economy has grown massively in recent years, there are still enormous problems with undereating, malnutrition, especially in remote rural regions. Considering the current situation in the state of Bihar, it has a population of 110 million and is the third-largest and most densely populated state in India. With 34% of households living below the poverty line, the state is one of the traditional poverties and hunger hotspots, not only nationally, but worldwide. Minorities are disproportionately affected. 48.3% of children in Bihar are lagging in their development and 43.9% of children are underweight. 60.3% of women of reproductive age are classified as anemic.

The state ranks last among Indian states in the SDG index. Whereas the National Health and Nutrition Report (NFHS-4) for Bihar has shown a general improvement in health and Nutrition Indicators, the interrogational nutritional status remained worrying for the “boxless” population.

Hence, the issue of food security is at the heart of India’s national development agenda, which is to be followed by BMZ – Global Program India to make its implementation more effective and efficient through its state-level partners. The global program in Bihar focuses on areas where dietary indicators are significantly worse than the rest of the country. Many government policies are in place, however, still do not reach the neediest. The program provides information on a variety of government programs to ensure food supply and improve the overall food situation, and to support marginalized populations and believes that better education of communities on these programs and services may lead to maximum access.

Therefore, Caritas India provided technical assistance to its partner organization via a two-day training program which was conducted on 5th and 6th August 2021 in Sewa Kendra, Patna, Bihar. Coordinators and animators from 5 partners (from Bihar) organizations participated in the meeting from Saharsa, Kaimur, Patna, Purnea, and Munger. The training intends to benefit the field level staff with necessary technical skills and knowledge which would help in greater political networking and coordination of activities at different levels with different stakeholders.

The training envisages advancing the understanding and familiarity of the coordinator and animators on the concept of Nutrition and Food Security and initiatives of the government-especially POSHAN ABHIYAN and Integrated Child development services and its initiatives. The training also aimed to impart improved networking with government officials to expand the outreach of the government health, nutrition, and food security schemes.

Mr. Aaditya Mohan, Thematic Lead NFS, CI facilitated the session on 1000 days “window of opportunity, Mr. Mantreshwar Jha familiarised participants with ICDS services and POSHAN Abhiyan. Mrs. Anupam Srivastava (Senior Program Manager-State Lead, Bihar) from Alive and Thrive presented the session on the concept of food security in nutrition and health system, lastly Mr. Anoop Kr Jha- Consultant UNICEF facilitated the session on Social Behaviour Change Communication. Fr James Shekhar, Forum Directors, Bihar graced the event with his keynote address.