Sunita Khirsagar, Karjkheda Village, Osmanabad District, Maharashtra

“Food Security through Vegetable Garden Cultivation”

During the ongoing pandemic, with limited income sources & sky-rocketing prices of vegetables, farmers find it difficult to purchase even for household consumption & often compromise the nutrient intake of their family, posing a severe threat on food security. To address this nearly 80 women leaders from three blocks of Osmanabad district have been trained on vegetable garden cultivation.

“We had neglected our health, our immunity was quite low & we used to often fall sick, & immunity is all that is needed to keep one safe in times of the pandemic.

This vegetable garden helps us to grow at least seven different types of vegetables, including leafy vegetables, increasing the nutritional basket.” says Sunita, a trained leader.

This model can be easily replicated in one’s backyard with a small space of even 134 sq ft. The choice of vegetables are such that they grow within a 30-45 days time span, providing an early harvest of leafy vegetables.

“This model can be used for any season and we can grow seasonal vegetables. We have sown leafy vegetables at the centre, surrounded by small plant vegetables and at the end rounded with creeper vegetable plants, designed in such a way that every plant gets adequate nutrients and water supply. ” saya Sunita

130 leaders are being trained to demonstrate and help five to seven families in each village to replicate this model. With a target of 130 villages, this model will provide food security for more than 650 families across Osmanabad and Latur district of Maharashtra.