The ICAR-IIHR has organized a demonstration on Arka-Nutri Garden in Government Schools through RKVY Project entitled “Developing participatory ARKA-NUTRI Gardens for augmenting Midday meals programme in Schools of Karnataka” on 24th May, 2024. The demonstration was conducted in the Government School premises of Chikkakadaluru village of Hassan District. About 130 students from 3 schools of Chikkakadaluru, Dudda and Doddapura villages of Hassan district were actively participated in the demonstration program. This program was aimed to demonstrate the growing of vegetables for midday meals program in Government schools to enhance the nutritional security of school children in rural areas.
Dr. V.K Jayaraghavendra Rao, Principal Scientist and Head of Division of Social Science and Training, welcomed the all the students and teachers and resource persons from ICAR-IIHR and also from Veterinary College, Hassan. Further he briefed audience about the importance of nutrition in day today life, importance of enriched nutri thali and establishment of Arka Nutri garden in government schools of Karnataka to achieve daily requirement of 300 grams vegetables per person per day and also to reduce under-nutrition/mal-nutrition in children community. Dr.Rajashankar, Principal Scientist, Dr.V.Sankar, Principal Scientist and Dr. Kalaivanan D explained about various vegetable cultivation techniques including methods of sowing, transplanting, watering, use of Sasyaposhak solutions, foliar application of micro nutrients, application of bio fertilizers, intercultural operations, pest and diseases management harvesting methods etc. Hands on training on scientific vegetable cultivation techniques were given to all school children and teachers. Later on students and teachers were exposed to sowing methods, manures application, fertilizers solutions preparation etc.
Dr. K. C. Veeranna, Vice Chancellor, Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries University, Bidar distributed Arka Nutri Garden inputs to the teachers of Veterinary college adapted school @ Government Middle School ,Haralahalli.Hassan.
