Impact of Farming Systems for Nutritional Food Security to Farm Families in Dry Land Farming Situation in Anantapuramu District, Andhra Pradesh, India

Abstract

Aims: The present study validates the possibility of Farming Systems for Nutrition based models in dryland farming situation and to address malnutrition among farm families. Study Design: Frontline Demonstrations (Field Demonstrations). Place and Duration of Study: The field demonstrations were conducted at KVK, Reddipalli instructional farm of Anantapuramu district, Andhra Pradesh during the period from July, 2019 to October, 2021. Methodology: FSN model was designed for a one-acre area based on the major crop grown in the area and to include all the food group crops (cereals, pulses, fruits and vegetables) that are suitable in the district, and to provide a balanced diet, which is a vital element for a healthy life, by providing right amounts of carbohydrates, healthy proteins, vitamins and minerals. In the Anantapuramu district, as groundnut is the major crop, groundnut-based farming systems are designed by including all the prominent crops to cover all the food groups. This paper thoroughly discusses the farming systems for the nutrition models demonstrated and to meet the annual requirements of all food groups of a Farm household (5-6 members). Results: The results revealed that, farming systems for the nutrition model provides a total of 35 percent of the cereal requirement which is rich in carbohydrates and can meet the calorie needs of the family, 93 percent of legumes which is rich in protein content and 335 percent of vegetable requirement which meets micronutrient needs and 238 percent of nuts and oilseed requirement, meeting protein and antioxidant requirement of a family. Conclusion: The results provide evidence regarding feasibility of location specific FSN models to promote sustainable and healthy diets, using locally available plant and animal food resources, to address nutrition deficiencies in farm families. Hence, the approach can be seen as a subset of the larger canvas of agro-ecology and sustainable food systems, with explicit focus on addressing household nutrition security as demonstrated by the study, highlights the need for greater support, research and extension in this important area.