Improving the nutritional status of mid-day meals through organic kitchen gardens in Nagapattinam district of tamil nadu

INTRODUCTION

This project supported by the Department of Science and Technology aimed to enhance the nutritional status of the mid-day meal in the selected schools of Nagapattinam district through organic kitchen gardening. This project was implemented during the period of June 2008 – June 2009.

OBJECTIVES

• To improve the nutritional status of mid-day meals in schools of Nagapattinam district.
• To create awareness about the importance of organic farming and health among children in the schools of Nagapattinam district.

WORK DONE UNDER THE PROJECT

• Project activities were implemented in a total of 10 schools in Nagapattinam district

• The students of selected schools were grouped under Nature club. Each club contained 20 students and 10 clubs were formed involving 200 students in 10 schools.

• Training programmes were conducted for students, teacher coordinators and mid-day meal organizers on organic farming, importance of organic kitchen garden, setting up of organic kitchen garden, importance of nutrition and balanced diet.

• Established organic kitchen garden in all the 10 schools by utilizing 2 – 5 cents of fallow land and monitored the organic vegetable garden in all the schools. Local varieties of greens and vegetables were cultivated and utilized for the preparation of mid-day meal.

• A total of ten vermicompost tank were constructed in all the 10 schools for the regular supply of vermicompost to the kitchen garden.
• Constructed low cost cool chambers in six schools. The use of low cost cool chambers have been tested and standardized. This helps to enhance the shelf life of the vegetables.

• Conducted cultural programmes, competitions such as drawing, quiz programme. The prizes for best performance have been distributed during the Children’s day celebration.

• Organic inputs, seeds and seedlings of vegetables, garden implements, information charts on balanced diet were distributed.

• Case study on “Importance and uses of organic vegetable garden” was conducted for selected students and documented.