Bisleri signs MOU with Archaeological Survey of India to revive water bodies
Key stakeholders convene to discuss actionable strategies for embedding nutrition into social protection programs
Recognising the need to integrate better nutrition outcomes in India’s social safety net programs (SSNPs), Nutrition International unveiled its latest policy brief, “Enhancing Nutrition Outcomes through India’s Social Safety Net Programs: Opportunities and Way Forward.”
The launch event, held in New Delhi, brought together key stakeholders, including Dr SubbaRao, Scientist F & Head, Nutrition Information, Communication & Health Education (NICHE) Division, ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition, and experts from organisations such as the Gates Foundation, IDinsight, the Institute of Economic Growth, MicroSave Consulting, and the International Food Policy Research Institute. These discussions centred on actionable strategies to transition SSNPs from food security to nutrition security, addressing India’s triple burden of malnutrition: undernutrition, overnutrition, and micronutrient deficiencies.
SSNPs are critical to safeguard the most vulnerable populations from poverty and food insecurity. Over the years, food distribution through India’s SSNPs has emerged as a promising delivery mechanism for providing food to underserved populations with the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman and the Saksham Anganwadi and POSHAN 2.0, collectively catering to over a billion people. However, while addressing food security, these programs often lack an explicit focus on nutritional outcomes. This policy brief identifies gaps and opportunities to make these programs more nutrition-sensitive, ensuring they address India’s triple burden of malnutrition – undernutrition, overnutrition, and micronutrient deficiencies.