Development of Kitchen (Nutri) Gardens in Schools and Anganwadis

Fruits and vegetables play an important role in the balanced diet of human beings by providing vital protective nutrients. In order to have the requisite quantity and kind of fresh fruits and vegetables available every day to a family, it is advisable to raise a nutrition garden to grow them on the premises of the house or near the schools. The best quality of the fresh produce can be grown from one’s nutrition garden as the time interval between the harvest and the consumption becomes the least. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables has been shown to prevent cancer neurological disorders and allergies. Nutrition garden by self can offer fresh and chemical-free fruits and vegetables.

Setting up a school nutrition (Kitchen) garden will achieve the goal of learning a lifelong skill that is of critical importance in the arena of rapid urbanization and environmental issues which shapes the behavioural pattern of the students. It is just one step in the right direction for school students to engage and participate meaningfully in the activities to inculcate the habit of growing their own vegetables and fruits in the schools and their homes.

The kitchen gardens are developed with following objectives:

• To help in addressing malnutrition & micronutrient deficiencies by consumption of freshly grown vegetables.
• To give children first-hand experience with nature and gardening.
• To enhance the knowledge of children regarding nutritional aspects of vegetables and harmful effects of junk food.

LWHRF-Vizag has established the four model kitchen gardens in the schools and Anganwadiscentresa. These Kitchen (Nutri) Gardens are now replicated in other Anganwadi centres by Child Protection Development Officer, Sabbavaram cluster, Visakhapatnam District.