'Nutrition Garden' to tackle malnutrition

Dept of horticulture plans to develop garden on 2,500 acres of land in Mysore district

Senior assistant director of Department of Horticulture M S Raju said in an effort to make the district free from malnutrition, steps are being taken to develop ‘nutrition garden’ in every taluk in Mysore district.

Accordingly, two lakh vegetable and fruit saplings are being nurtured, which would be supplied to schools and farmers to grow them in their vegetable patch and lands.

Speaking at an interaction on the role of horticulture in tackling malnutrition, organised by the Information department, SKST government girls PU college at Kendriya Vidyalaya at Tibetan settlement in Bylakuppe village in Periyapatna taluk in the district recently, he said the department is providing facilities under various schemes to develop garden at schools and also grow fruit and vegetables at the lands of the farmers.

There are plans to develop nutrition garden under horticulture on an area of 2,500 acres of land in the district.

As fresh vegetables and fruits are loaded with essential nutrients and are important in getting rid of malnutrition, they could be grown and used fresh from the garden.

Consumption

He stressed on consuming 120 gm of fresh fruit and 50 gm of vegetables along with food which makes a balanced diet. He also suggested to consume vegetables and fruits without peeling and care should be taken to retain the essential nutrients while cooking.

He also advised not to consume rotten vegetables and fruits in any circumstances.
Deputy director of women and child welfare N R Vijay participated in the programme organised as part of NSS activities.

College principal K Shivanna presided, assistant director of Information department G Chandrakant, K R Vijaykumar, Nagaraju, Punyavathy, NSS official Anil K K, Ratan Singh of Tibetan Kendriya Vidyalaya and others were present.