Enhancing Farm Family Nutrition: the Influence of Nutri-garden Implementation on Knowledge and Dietary Habits
Authors:   All India Coordinated Research Project on Women in Agriculture, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Hyderabad, Telangana, India., Rani R. Neela , Spandana B. ,   All India Coordinated Research Project on Women in Agriculture, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Hyderabad, Telangana, India., Devi Mridula ,   ICAR-Central Institute for Women in Agriculture, Bhubaneswar, India., Kamalaja T. ,   All India Coordinated Research Project on Women in Agriculture, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Hyderabad, Telangana, India., Rajini D. ,   All India Coordinated Research Project on Women in Agriculture, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Hyderabad, Telangana, India., Reddy K. Indudhar ,   All India Coordinated Research Project on Women in Agriculture, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Hyderabad, Telangana, India., Himabindu E. Shirin ,   All India Coordinated Research Project on Women in Agriculture, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Hyderabad, Telangana, India., Sushma N. ,   All India Coordinated Research Project on Women in Agriculture, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.
Published: January 2025

Nutritional security must be addressed by ensuring the availability and accessibility of nutrient-rich foods at the household level. Nutri gardens offer a practical solution and play a significant role in providing a nutritious diet at the household level, thereby reducing nutrition insecurity and the burden of malnutrition. This study aimed to promote nutrition security and education among farm families by providing training, Nutri garden kits, and nutrition counseling. Thirty farm families from Rangareddy, Telangana state, were selected for the study. Data was collected using questionnaires and the 24-hour recall method. Nutrient adequacy was analyzed according to NIN (National Institute of Nutrition) standards. Results indicated that the implementation of kitchen gardens has led to substantial benefits for families, including improved food consumption and financial savings. There was a noticeable increase in the consumption of nutritious foods such as green leafy vegetables, fruits, and other vegetables, contributing positively to dietary diversity. Additionally, participants reported saving money by consuming homegrown foods. Furthermore, there was a significant increase in knowledge levels among farm women, suggesting that the adoption of Nutri gardens had a positive and significant impact on enhancing participants’ knowledge and awareness regarding nutrition gardening practices. While some of the participants indicated that balancing household responsibilities, agricultural work, and other commitments were the challenges faced by them to dedicate to Nutri garden maintenance.These findings of the study underscore the vital role of Nutri gardens in promoting both nutritional well-being and economic resilience within households.