Assam’s fish powder initiative reduced malnutrition in children : Himanta Biswa Sarma
Guwahati : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday said that the state has seen a significant drop in malnutrition levels among children due to the inclusion of fish powder in their diets.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma recently highlighted a unique exercise undertaken as a part of PM Matsya Sampada Yojana in Kamrup district for children.
To improve children’s dietary diversity, the Kamrup district administration ran an innovative nutrition pilot project called Matsya Paripushti.
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The project was carried out at 55 Anganwadi Centres and 43 Lower Primary Schools and reached approximately 3,300 children.
The children received fish powder enriched meals thrice weekly and this step of the state government marked a pioneering effort in India.
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By incorporating nutrient-dense fish powder into the meals of children aged 3 to 10 years at Anganwadi Centers and Lower Primary Schools, the initiative sought to provide an alternative, viable protein source.
Sarma claimed that the inclusion of fish powder, produced by local women fish farmers, led to a 3.63per cent reduction in severely stunted children, 5.46 per cent reduction in underweight children and 1.67 per cent reduction in severely underweight children.
Moreover, it led to an increase in average BMI from 15.54 to 16.11, average weight gain from 23.83 kg to 25.12 kg and Average height gain from 122.83 cm to 123.95 cm in the children, he added.