Bhubaneswar: An international consultation on ‘Promoting Nutrition-sensitive Approaches’ was organised by the state Panchayati Raj department and Azim Premji Philanthropic Initiatives here recently.
On the occasion, Panchayati Raj minister Pratap Jena launched the ‘Mo Upakari Bagicha’ scheme to eradicate malnutrition from the state. The scheme was launched under the Odisha Livelihood Mission and it would encourage people to opt for kitchen garden.
Jena claimed that malnutrition is the main cause of child death in state.
Panchayati Raj department principal secretary Deoranjan Kumar said that development of agriculture, and poultry sector and women empowerment will help in tackling malnutrition. He also said that the Mo Upkari Bagicha scheme will help the people to grow vegetables for their own consumption.
A few representatives from Bangladesh also participated in the consultation. They highlighted its success story in tackling malnutrition.
Children suffering from malnutrition are usually underweight and they are likely to face several other health complications, said an expert.