- State Level Workshop concluded
Bhopal: Community Nutrition Garden (CNG) initiative is being adopted on a large scale to promote nutritional security and livelihood empowerment in rural areas in Madhya Pradesh. Taking an important step in this direction, a state level workshop was organized at Vikas Bhavan Auditorium, Arera Hills, Bhopal.
The workshop was organized in collaboration with Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), GIZ and Pradaan Sanstha, in which more than 450 participants attended. Women self-help group (SHGs) members of Gram Panchayats of various districts, Gram Rozgar Sahayak (GRS), Sarpanch, Chief Executive Officers of District and Janpad and a large number of officers / employees were present.
The workshop was inaugurated by Principal Secretary, Panchayat and Rural Development Department, Smt. Deepali Rastogi, Commissioner of Madhya Pradesh State Employment Guarantee Council, Avi Prasad by lighting the lamp. e-learning module and knowledge booklet based on community nutrition garden was launched.
MNREGA Commissioner Avi Prasad stated that we need to change our mindset. We must empower the women farmers for whom we have created assets to ensure their livelihood under our schemes, and ensure they receive fair compensation for their hard work.
Over 1000 community nutrition gardens established
At the workshop, Tapan Gope, Deputy Project Director of GIZ India, reported that over 1,000 community nutrition gardens have been established since 2019, benefiting approximately 30,000 self-help group (SHG) women. These women-run gardens are crucial in enhancing local food security and promoting economic empowerment.
A key highlight of the workshop was the ‘Stories from the Ground’ session, where Sunita Kushwaha, a SHG member from Simaria village in Rewa district, shared her inspiring success story. She detailed how, through the Panchayat-supported Community Nutrition Garden Scheme, she significantly improved nutrition levels within her family and village.
Ms Archana, Integrator of Pradaan Sanstha said, “When women lead their land and labor, they not only improve their livelihoods but also lay the foundation for the health and prosperity of the entire village.”
In her special address, CEO, Madhya Pradesh Livelihood Mission, Smt. Harshika Singh shared her views on taking the Community Nutrition Garden initiative forward.
In this workshop, Chief Executive Officers of District Panchayat Mandla and Betul, Narsinghpur discussed the impact of Community Nutrition Garden in their districts and shared success stories.
