SRINAGAR, SEPTEMBER 14: Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) and Mission Directorate Poshan, Jammu and Kashmir, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote nutrition-sensitive agriculture and establish sustainable Poshan Vatika at Anganwadi Centres across the Union Territory, supporting the implementation of Mission Poshan 2.0, aimed at improving nutritional outcomes among children aged 0–6 years, adolescent girls, pregnant women and lactating mothers.
The MoU, as per an official statement, was signed in the presence of Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-K, Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, who said the collaboration will leverage SKUAST-K’s expertise in agriculture, horticulture and nutrition with the government’s extensive nutrition outreach network to provide technical guidance and capacity building on nutrition-sensitive agriculture.
The event was attended by Prof. Raihana Habib Kanth, Director Extension; Prof. Irfan Bisati, Directorate of Research; Prof. Massarat Shafi, Head, Community Science; Prof. Ishfaq Abidi, Head, Vegetable Sciences; Dr. Sajad Bhat, Head, Food Science and Technology; and Dr. Iffat Ganai, Community Science, along with various officers of the University.
Officials from Mission Poshan/ICDS present on the occasion included Sajad Hussain, Mission Director, Poshan/ICDS; Bureeda Majeed, District Programme Officer, Poshan/ICDS, Srinagar; Sobia Fatma, CDPO, Srinagar; and Aqeel Ahmed, CDPO, Batwara.
Speaking on the occasion, Sajad Hussain, Mission Director, Poshan/ICDS, said, “SKUAST-K’s expertise will provide valuable technical support for establishing and sustaining Poshan Vatika at Anganwadi Centres, while helping promote access to fresh and nutritious local produce for children.
“We are hopeful that this collaboration will strengthen efforts to address malnutrition and nutritional deficiencies among children, adolescent girls, pregnant women and lactating mothers,” the Mission Director said.
The MoU, signed for a period of three years, provides a framework for collaboration to establish and sustain Poshan Vatika, provide technical guidance and capacity building on nutrition-sensitive agriculture, and enhance awareness regarding balanced diets, micronutrient-rich crops and local food diversity. It will also facilitate research, innovation and mentorship in nutrition gardening.
Under the collaboration, SKUAST-K will provide technical expertise in agriculture, horticulture, nutrition gardening and sustainable management of Poshan Vatika. The University will also conduct capacity-building programmes for Anganwadi Workers and field-level staff. Mission Poshan J&K will provide logistical and field-level support for training, demonstrations, exposure visits and awareness programmes.
