Nutrition Intervention and Homestead Kitchen Gardening-Improving Nutritional Security in Rural Livelihoods

Abstract

The magnitude of malnutrition and the ignorance about the relationship between food and health among a majority of the population at all levels necessitates the need for nutrition education. This approach in long term may promote self-reliance and self support in the communities. Nutrition intervention programmes have been taken up and are being implemented by the central, state governments and voluntary agencies with a view to improve the nutritional status and health of the vulnerable sections of the population. Homestead gardening can play a significant role in improving food security for rural households as well as middle class urban households in developing country like India. The present study explained about a cost effective technology for the optimal nutrient intake to achieve the nutritional security among resource poor people. The occupation and family size were positively associated with food security. The results revealed that there is a positive relation between family size and area of kitchen garden.