ICAR-KVK North and Middle Andaman conducted a three-day training programme on “Maternal Nutrition and Wellness for Pregnant and Lactating Mothers” from November 17 to 19, 2025, aiming to build capacity among extension functionaries and Anganwadi Workers of Basantipur Gram Panchayat. The initiative focused on strengthening frontline nutrition awareness and improving maternal health outcomes in rural and tribal communities.
The programme began with welcome remarks from Yatharth Sharma, SMS (Home Science), who underscored the importance of community-level support systems for maternal nutrition. He highlighted the need for stronger engagement by frontline workers to improve long-term health indicators for mothers and children in remote regions.
Er. Manoj Kumar, In-charge, ICAR-KVK N&M Andaman, urged participants to utilise the training to intensify nutrition awareness campaigns in their field areas. He noted that maternal nutrition remains a priority area for KVK, stressing coordinated efforts at the community level to address nutritional gaps.
Dr. S. Triveni Manju, GDMO (Ayurveda), PHC Billyground, attended the inaugural session as Chief Guest. She emphasised the significance of early detection of nutritional risks, proper referral protocols for high-risk pregnancies and the critical role of frontline workers in supporting maternal health in underserved areas.
Across the three days, the programme featured a series of technical sessions covering key aspects of maternal care and nutrition. Yatharth Sharma led in-depth discussions on balanced diets during pregnancy, common nutrient deficiencies, hygiene and safe food practices, and Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) guidelines. He also highlighted practical methods for Anganwadi Workers to strengthen nutrition outreach in their respective communities.
Mr. Rakesh Dawar, SMS (Agronomy), presented insights on using locally available nutritious foods to enhance dietary diversity. He explained techniques for planning nutrition gardens and emphasised crops that can support maternal nutritional requirements.
In another session, Subam Debroy, SMS (Aquaculture), discussed the nutritional value of fish and seafood, commonly available across the islands, and encouraged their integration into maternal diets to boost key nutrients.
The interactive nature of the sessions encouraged active participation, helping attendees deepen their understanding of maternal health, balanced nutrition and effective community counselling. Participants noted that the training improved their confidence in providing accurate and practical nutrition guidance during field visits.
The programme was conducted under the overall guidance of Dr. Jai Sunder, Director (Acting), ICAR-CIARI, Sri Vijayapuram. Around 20 extension functionaries, including Anganwadi Workers, took part and benefitted from the initiative aimed at bolstering community-level maternal health efforts in the North and Middle Andaman region.
