State-Level THR Conclave in Bhubaneswar Focuses on Combating Malnutrition

Bhubaneswar: In a significant move towards eradicating malnutrition in Odisha, the Department of Women and Child Development (W&CD), in collaboration with UNICEF, organized a State-Level Take Home Ration (THR) Conclave at Mayfair Lagoon. The event, aimed at addressing nutrition issues and exploring best practices in the distribution of nutrition supplements, was graced by Prabhati Parida, Deputy Chief Minister (DCM) and Minister of W&CD, MS and Tourism, Government of Odisha.

The conclave saw participation from senior officials and representatives from various states, including Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Telangana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Assam, and Jharkhand. The event also included contributions from experts such as senior scientists and officials from the Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), Gujarat Milk Marketing Federation (Amul), NIT Rourkela, World Food Programme, UNICEF, Azim Premji Foundation, and various state departments.

In her address as the chief guest, Deputy Chief Minister Prabhati Parida emphasized that the government’s top priority is to make Odisha free from malnutrition. She lauded the support of the Central Government, particularly through initiatives like POSHAN Abhiyaan, in addressing nutritional challenges in the state. However, she stressed the importance of strengthening existing systems and transforming the current “Take Home Ration” (THR) schemes to ensure better nutrition for beneficiaries.

“Achieving zero malnutrition in Odisha is not just a dream; it’s a goal that we must actively work towards. The discussions during this conclave will play a crucial role in refining and enhancing the state’s nutrition strategies,” said Parida.

Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, who also attended the conclave, remarked that achieving a malnutrition-free Odisha is central to the state’s vision for 2047. He urged all stakeholders to work in a mission mode and within a time-bound framework to tackle malnutrition effectively.

Subha Sarma, Principal Secretary to the Department of Women and Child Development, shared that the conclave was designed to help the state learn from other states on nutrition interventions, types of THR produced, production models, and value addition practices. She highlighted the importance of collaboration among states to fine-tune Odisha’s strategies for nutrition.

At the outset, the Director of ICDS & Social Welfare welcomed delegates and presented an overview of Odisha’s current nutrition scenario and the initiatives undertaken by the state. This was followed by technical sessions on November 12th and 13th, where participating states presented detailed reports on their respective THR programs and best practices in the field of nutrition.

Technical experts from CFTRI, NIN, and Amul also contributed to the discussions by presenting innovations in THR production, distribution, and monitoring. Their suggestions aimed at strengthening Odisha’s THR program and ensuring more efficient and widespread distribution of nutrition supplements.

The conclave saw detailed deliberations on the various THR options and models, which will help Odisha design a robust strategy to combat malnutrition. These discussions will be instrumental in shaping the state’s future nutrition policies, ensuring that the state moves closer to its goal of eradicating malnutrition in the coming years.