MSc

The study entitled ―Development of nutrition gardens to
improve nutrition security of nuclear families‖ was conducted at the
Department of Community Science, College of Agriculture, Vellayani,
during the period 2020-2022. The objective of the study was to ascertain the
effectiveness of nutrition gardens in bringing about nutrient security in
nuclear families.
Thirty nuclear families ( with 4 members) were selected after a base
line survey from Vithura Panchayath to participate in the program. The
demographic profile of the family and dietary particulars were assessed by
using a suitably framed questionnaire. Six short term vegetables were
selected for the gardens namely : Amaranth (KAU Vaika), Tomato
(Vellayani Vijay), Bitter gourd (Preethi), Okra (Anjitha), Brinjal Violet
(local) and Bush Cowpea (Anaswara).Other inputs like organic inputs for
plant protection (Neem oil and Neem garlic soap), organic manures farm
gold (Micronutrient manure ) and grow bags(24nos) were supplied to each
family. Weekly monitoring for management of diseases and healthy growth
of the plants was ensured. A control garden was also set up at the
department.
As the initial step, a class supported with related audio visual aids
was conducted on the Organic cultivation of the identified crops.
Introduction and initiation to the mobile digital app ―Farm Extension
Manager‖ (FEM) was also included in this session to function as a ready
reckoner. When the level of knowledge was ascertained before and after this
intervention. It was observed that there was a significant level of difference
in pre and post knowledge scores after the intervention.
Cultivation practices, disease management and yield from the garden
were recorded.The per capita availability of leafy vegetables was computed
to be 1.8g and per capita availability of other vegetables was 4.37g, which
was 1.8 and 2.8% of RDA (ICMR, 2020) .During the gardening, the most
reported pest attack was in cowpea (50% households). The highest yield
was observed in okra (13.360kg) followed by cowpea (11.8kg) and brinjal
(10.5kg).The productivity of vegetableswas affected by poor seed
germination, pest attacks, and rain, which was seen to be highest in bitter
gourd.
On the whole, the frequency of consumption of vegetables
increased; daily consumption of vegetables like brinjal, and cowpea was
initiated in 40% and 23% of the households respectively after the
intervention. Monthly expenditure on the vegetables was also seen to
decrease after the intervention; monthly expenditure on vegetables like
brinjal, tomato, cowpea, okra and amaranthus decreased to below Rs 250.
Per capita availability of beta carotene was highest in amaranthus (294mg)
and lowest in cowpea (0.22mg).Per capita availability of iron was highest
in cowpea (41.1mg ) and lowest in brinjal (0.096mg).
Organically set up nutrition gardens in the study could not meetthe
recommended dietary, hence it was realized that there is a need to scale up
the area of cultivation and an increase the number of crops, which are
disease resistant. The common land resources of the community could be
utilized.Continous and vigilant monitoring of the gardens would improve
the productivity.