In its move to push nutrition development agenda, NITI Aayog has sketched down new draft called ‘National Nutrition Strategy’. The strategy lays down a roadmap for effective action, among both implementers and practitioners, in achieving nutrition objectives.
The Aayog has penned down a framework which could possibly dodge the nutrition related issues of the country. This framework includes uptake of health services, food, drinking water and sanitation and income and livelihoods.
“India cannot grow at a high rate unless we fix the nutrition problem,” said NITI Aayog chief executive officer Amitabh Kant.
The recently published NFHS-4 results reflect some progress, with a decline in the overall levels of under-nutrition in both women and children. However, the pace of decline is slower than what numerous countries with similar growth trajectories to India have achieved. Moreover, India pays an income penalty of 9 per cent to 10 per cent due to a workforce that was stunted during their childhood.
The nutrition strategy framework envisages a ‘Kuposhan Mukt Bharat’—linked to Swachh Bharat and Swasth Bharat. The aim is to ensure that states create customized state/district action plans to address local needs and challenges.
The strategy enables states to make strategic choices, through decentralized planning and local innovation, with accountability for nutrition outcomes.