TOWARDS GENDER INCLUSIVE AGRICULTURE: STRENGTHENING NUTRITION LITERACY IN FARMING COMMUNITY THROUGH POLICY INNOVATIONS IN INDIA

Nutritional security is inevitable for the healthy and disease-free population. According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) – 5 (2019 to 2021), India suffers from double burden of malnutrition. Child malnutrition is reported as 36.00 per cent of the children under 5 are stunted, 19.00 per cent are wasted, 32.00 per cent are underweight, 03.00 per cent are overweight and 67.00 per cent suffers from anaemia. Among adults, 16.00 per cent males and 19.00 per cent females suffer from under-nutrition, 23.00 per cent males and 24.00 per cent females suffer from over-nutrition and 25.00 per cent males and 67.00 per cent females suffer from anaemia. This is the miserable condition despite plethora of initiatives like National Nutrition Mission, Integrated Child Development Services Scheme, Mid-Day Meal Scheme and various state government programmes. The current study reflects the status of nutrition literacy comprising nutritional knowledge, attitude towards nutrition and practices followed to meet nutritional requirements by the male and female farmers. The findings conclude that there was difference between the nutritional knowledge, attitude and practices followed by both genders and calls for attention to address these differences through targeted policy innovations. This paper suggest policy innovations aimed at enhancing nutrition literacy through gender-inclusive agricultural extension and rural development programs. It explores strategies such as integrating nutrition education into agricultural advisory services, promoting gender inclusive approaches and leveraging digital tools for targeted outreach.