Improved Nutrition And Health With Ahus For The Elderly Women
If you happen to pass by Sampat Kanwar’s residence you would see her busy tending to her plants in the nutrition garden that is filled with fresh fruits and vegetables even under the scorching heat of early summer in the Thar. When the GRAVIS team visited her, she was plucking some green chillies and limes and handing it to a neighbour. The smile on her face exuded satisfaction and confidence.
70 years old Sampat Kanwar resides in Gadna village of Bap block of Jodhpur district in Western Rajasthan. In a family of 6 with strained resources, the family could not invest in nutritious food, especially fruits and vegetables.
In July 2020, with the support of Village Development Committee (VDC) and GRAVIS Sampat Kanwar was provided with the essentials to grow a fruit farm consisting of drought resilient fruits including 8 gunda plants (Lasoda), 8 Ber plants (Desert plum), 1 drumstick plant (Moringa oleifera), 1 lemon plant (Citrus lemon) and 2 Karonda plants (Carissa carandas) along with 15 chain nets, spikey wires and plain wires. Due to good rainfall and maintenance by her, the plants have grown well. Because of the appropriate fencing done, the plants are protected from animals. Inclusion of increased amounts of greens and other vegetables have led to improvement in the health and nutritious status of the entire family, especially of the older people and children.
Sampat Kanwar adds, “Earlier, fruits were not affordable. Seeing the nutritious fruits grow in my courtyard is like a dream at this age. It is great to see my farm filled with green vegetables, which we could rarely grow previously. With the help of the trainings provided, I now take care of the plants myself. Next month we are expecting excess fruits that we can sell in the markets.”
