Sustainable Food Systems Approach to Food and Nutrition Security

Tarayana promotes food and nutrition security through the food systems approach, particularly the value chain analysis and facilitation, which are essential components of holistic rural development in the communities. Since the Foundation’s inception, Field Officers have provided necessary inputs, support, capacity building, guidance, and market facilitation to promote nutrition and food security for every household in their respective villages. This initiative complements the efforts of the Department of Agriculture under the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock to make villages self-sufficient in food and the Department of Public Health, Ministry of Health’s mother and under-five nutrition. The COVID-19 pandemic has provided opportunities for farmers to make good use of their fallow lands to grow vegetables and fruits, supplementing scarce produce in the country. The Foundation has also conducted studies to determine the causes of undernutrition among pregnant women and children under five. The Foundation formulated and implemented programs in the targeted communities based on these findings.

Promoting homestead nutrition gardens is carried out in rural villages, wherein our farmers are supported with solar greenhouse amenities and fencing (electric & solar) to address the issue of human-wildlife conflict. Training on mulching, drip irrigation, vermicompost, natueco farming etc., adds value. Farmers are supported with post-harvest activities such as food processing and marketing facilitation, where necessary. For sustainable farming practices, seed banking is initiated in different communities to promote climate-resilient crops and traditional seeds.