The Paradox of Koraput
Rich in biodiversity, predominantly tribal population.
Despite government schemes, high levels of undernutrition persist.
NFHS-5 data (2019-21):
43% of children under five are stunted (low height-for-age).
33% are underweight.
Only 17% receive an adequate diet.
More than 50% of women are anaemic.
MSSRF’s Community-Based Nutrition Literacy Model (2013-2022)
Objective: Empower tribal communities to diversify their household food basket and achieve nutrition security.
Nutrition-Sensitive Farming Approach:
Maximizing food diversity.
Improving sanitation & hygiene.
Promoting Infant and Young Child Feeding Practices (IYCF).
Key Steps in the Transformation Process
Community Awareness & Training
Villagers assessed their own nutritional status (height, weight).
Core group of men & women from each village underwent residential training.
Topics covered: Balanced diet, dietary diversity, hygiene, sanitation, crop diversity, backyard poultry, pisciculture.
Interactive Learning & Social Engagement
Group discussions, role plays, songs to make learning interactive.
Addressed caste, class, gender dimensions affecting nutrition security.
Shifted perception of dietary diversity from "dish count" to "food group" count.
Impact of the Initiative
Community Champions for Change
Over 200 men & women trained across 70+ villages, later expanded to 1,000+ individuals.
Focused on agriculture, animal husbandry, pisciculture to create a community resource base for nutrition security.
Shared knowledge during agricultural work, at tea shops, SHG meetings, markets, festivals.
Increased Crop & Dietary Diversity
More families started growing vegetables, fruits, pulses.
Home gardens expanded from 4 crops to 9-11 crops.
90% of households had home gardens at the start, but only for 5 months—by the end, 50% sustained them for 7-9 months.
Fallow paddy fields were used for pulse cultivation.
Women Empowerment & Decision-Making
Women revived community grain banks, engaged in Gram Sabha meetings, and demanded an Anganwadi center (which was sanctioned).
Male champions started making agricultural decisions jointly with their wives.
Nutrition Awareness & Behavioral Change
Greater consumption of pulses, leafy vegetables, fruits, poultry, fish, and wild food.
Example: Sanya from Maligad village ensured her anaemic daughter had a diverse diet post-hospitalization.
Key Takeaways
Community-led transformation is sustainable.
Nutrition literacy empowers individuals to take action.
Dietary diversity improves through locally available resources.
Women’s participation strengthens household nutrition security.
Collaboration with government schemes amplifies impact.
Koraput’s model can serve as a blueprint for other tribal and rural areas striving for nutrition security.
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