Addressing Malnutrition and Anemia in Tribal Communities: The Role of Nutri-Garden in Hill Regions of Arunachal Pradesh

Malnutrition and anemia remain critical public health challenges in Northeast India, particularly among tribal communities. Dietary deficiencies, limited food diversity, and poor accessibility to nutrient-rich foods contribute to high rates of undernutrition, primarily affecting children under five and women of reproductive age. In Arunachal Pradesh, malnutrition and anemia, remained persistently high as observed across five consecutive rounds of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-1 to NFHS-5), highlighting a long-standing concern. The region's agricultural limitations–such as reliance on rain-fed farming, shrinking arable land, and soil degradation–further exacerbate food insecurity. Additionally, the prioritization of cash crops over nutrient-dense alternatives leads to inadequate diets dominated by staple cereals, with minimal consumption of protective foods like fruits and leafy vegetables. This study examines these interlinked challenges proposes an Integrated Farming System (IFS)-based Nutri-Garden Model as a sustainable strategy to enhance food security, dietary diversity, and economic resilience in tribal households. The model integrates the cultivation of fruits, vegetables, tubers, spices, and medicinal plants with livestock rearing (piggery, poultry), vermicomposting, and efficient water utilization practices. These interventions improve both nutritional intake and livelihoods, ensuring access to essential micronutrients such as iron, folate, calcium, zinc, magnesium, and vitamins A, B, and C, which are crucial in preventing malnutrition and anemia. A holistic approach, incorporating nutrition awareness, dietary diversification, and sustainable agriculture, is vital to address malnutrition in tribal regions. Future efforts should focus on expanding nutrition education, promoting self-sufficiency, and strengthening policy support to scale up this model for long-term impact.