MSSRF, in partnership with the ITC Limited unveiled the CSR project ‘Samposhan’ focusing on reducing malnutrition with a focus in anaemia at the household level. The project aims to foster dietary diversity in the daily food consumption practices particularly among adolescent group, maternal and children less than 5 years’ age. The project is a dedicated initiative with a multisector approach involving allied departments like Agriculture, Horticulture, Social Welfare, SC/ST Development, School & Mass Education and Mission Shakti.

This project will be implemented in the Dasmantpur and Lamtaput block of Koraput district of Odisha. The implementation of the program will reach 20 villages, 1000 households, 500 farmers families, 50 Anganwadi centers, 10 tribal residential schools and 20 Self-Help Groups.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between ITC and MSSRF outlining the objectives and implementation plan of “Samposhan”. Mr Prabhat Kumar Parida, Sub-Collector, Jeypore, Chief Guest of the programme inaugurated the program alongside Sri Rama Chandra Soren, PA/ITDA, Jeypore, Mr Pradeep Kumar Mohanty, CDAO, Koraput, Mr Sudam Biswal, DDH, Koraput, Mrs Annapurna Kundu, DSWO, Koraput, emphasizing the collaborative effort between governmental bodies and M S Swaminathan Research Foundation.

Dignitaries present at the launching event included block representatives from Agriculture, ICDS, Education of both the project intervention blocks along with Dr Bhavna Sharma, Head, Nutrition Sciences, ITC Limited, Mr Srinivas Raman, Executive Director-Strategy & Operations, MSSRF, Mr Prashant Parida, Director-in-charge and Dr Bharati Sahu, Lead-ANH of TAbC, MSSRF, Jeypore

Speaking about the collaboration, Dr Bhavna Sharma said, At ITC, under of our nutrition strategy of ‘Help India Eat Baetter’, we have always believed in a community- led, Agri-Nutri based model that can be implemented & maintained in a sustainable manner. In line with our commitments under SDG2030, this project aims to bring a meaningful change in the life of the beneficiaries.

Speaking on this association Mr. Srinivas Raman said, the MSSRF model of the farming system for nutrition involves introduction of agricultural remedies for nutritional maladies prevailing in the area. A very key success factor for “Samposhan” involves community led multi-sectoral support from all partners at the village, block, district and State level. I am pleased to see this coming together once again for enhancing the health & well-being of the tribal communities.

The cornerstone of this effort is the Community based Management of Nutri Garden and Nutri Sensitive Agriculture model, an approach that empowers community Poshan Sathis to identify and treat malnourished tribal farmers before their conditions worsen.

By integrating treatment with long-term interventions project ‘Samposhan’ employs community mobilisation, household level increase in agricultural productivity, consumption of diverse and nutritious foods and rural income improving nutrition and health status of target population.