Scripting change via nutrition gardens
Reena Devi, a resident of Amba village in Boarijor block of Jharkhand’s Godda district, has been mentoring women since 2018 to set up nutrition gardens on plots ranging from 1.5 to 5 decimals of land for growing fruits and vegetables instead of buying from the market. These gardens on small plots of land are either set up in the backyard or in the front space of rural homes and ensure dietary diversity for the entire family.
“I have been mobilising women for the past two years. My job is to bring about a change in their thinking and defeat malnutrition in the district. I offer them tips on the intake of iron tablets, the need to consume nutritious food and take regular measurement of children to check their weight. This has been possible after many women started kitchen gardens and also inspired their neighbours to do the same,” Reena, who is in charge of two panchayats and works with 350 women under her, said.