Lok Sabha Question No. 1014 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-03
Subject: AYUSH Aahar
Ministry: AYURVEDA,YOGA & NATUROPATHY,UNANI,SIDDHA AND HOMEOPATHY (AYUSH)
Asked by: Jaswantsinh Sumanbhai Bhabhor, Naranbhai Bhikhabhai Kachhadiya, Parbatbhai Savabhai Patel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AYUSH

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1014 TO BE ANSWERED ON 3 rd  DECEMBER, 2021

## AYUSH AAHAR

## 1014. SHRI JASWANT SINGH BHABHOR: SHRI NARANBHAI KACHHADIYA: SHRI PARBATBHAI SAVABHAI PATEL

Will the Minister of AYUSH be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken cognizance of urgent need to promote 'AyushAahar' in the country;
- (b)  if  so,  the  steps  being  taken  by  the  Government  for  realising  the  final  objective  of 'Suposhit Bharat', State-wise including Gujarat; and
- (c) the manner in which assistance or instructions are being given or have been given by the  Ministry  to  State  Government  to  provide  more  information  and  availability  of 'AyushAahar' in rural and tribal areas particularly in Dahod of Gujarat?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF AYUSH (SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)

(a)  and  (b)  Ministry  of  Ayush  had  participated  in  the  celebration  of  Poshan  Maah  and Poshan Pakhwada organized by the Ministry of Women and Child Development through the National Institutes/Research Councils under the Ministry and had also requested to all the Ayush Departments of all the States/UTs including Gujarat for the same. The Ayush Ministry is promoting Ayush-based diet and lifestyle and is working in convergence with the  Ministry  of  women  and  child  development  in  the  Poshan  Abhiyaan  (nutrition campaign) to realise the ultimate goal of 'Suposhit Bharat' (nourished India). The week wise activities covered under Rashtriya Poshan Maah to promote " Ayush Aahar "  in  the country are as under:

-  First  Week: Plantation  activity  in  the  form  of  Poshan  Vatika  at  the  spaces available in Aanganwadi Centres, Gram Panchayat, Schools, etc.
-  Second Week: Yoga and AYUSH for Nutrition (Yoga Sessions targeted for various groups like pregnant women, children and adolescent girls).
-  Third Week: Distribution of Nutrition Kits comprising of regional nutritious food to beneficiaries of Aanganwadi along with IEC material in high burden districts.
-  Fourth Week: Identification of Severely Acute Malnourished (SAM) children and organising Community Kitchen for the beneficiaries.

The National Institutes under the Ministry of Ayush had undertaken various activities such as Poshan  Udyan  (Nutrigarden)  of  medicinal  herbs,  brochure describing Poshanmaah and various Ayurved Aahar recipes, Ayurveda Food Expo showcasing various innovative recipes like Ready-to-eat healthy  foods.  A  Workshop  was conducted for Startup in the field of Ayurveda Aahar.

Ministry  had  also  chosen  the  theme  'Ayurveda  for  Nutrition'  for  the  6 th Ayurveda Day that was celebrated wide and in various other countries on 2 nd November, 2021.

(c)Ministry of Ayush has issued an Ayush nutritional guidelines,  namely 'AYUSH Dietary Advisory for Kuposhan Mukt Bharat', dietary recommendation for pregnant women, dietary suggestions for Lactating Mother, dietary plans for children, dietary advisory for Anaemia in Pregnancy and Malnourished Children for better dissemination and adoption of Ayush based practices at large.

The  Women  and  Child  Development  department  Gujarat  under  Integrated  Child Development  Scheme  (ICDS)  introduced  AYUSH  based  pre-mix  Bal  Shakti+  and Matru  Shakti+  with  addition  of  certain  Ayurvedic  herbs.  The  Value  Added  Take Home Ration (THR) premix is produced by the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation  (GCMMF)  known  as  AMUL  with  the  support  of  3  dairy  cooperatives (SUMUL,AMUL and BANAS).