*PSFC Chairman Bal Mukand Sharma highlights nutrition gardens, Poshan Vatikas, and inter-departmental coordination at National Conference in Bhopal*
The Chairman of Punjab State Food Commission (PSFC) Mr. Bal Mukand Sharma emphatically showcased the activities and achievements of the Punjab State Food Commission in a 2 day National Conference organized at Bhopal by the Madhya Pradesh Food Commission.
The conference was centered on the theme of 'NFSA - 2013: Progress, Challenges and way forward'.
Underscoring the significance of moving from Food security to nutritional security, Mr. Bal Mukand Sharma also emphasized coordination amongst multiple Departments viz. Health, Food Supply, Social Security and Education in order to ensure the integration various pro people schemes of the State Government to benefit the ground level beneficiaries.
The PSFC conducted a high level workshop in April 2025 focussing on the core matter of nutritional security, said the Chairman adding that the workshop saw participation from 39 experts across various fields such as Agriculture, Forest, Ayurveda. The workshop was headed by the Former Union Food Secretary B.C. Gupta during whose tenure the NFSA-2013 was implemented.
The role of government institutions such as the Schools and the Anganwadis assumes much relevance in this regard.
The Chairman further pointed out that after the PSFC sent its recommendations to the government, the Education Department in May 2025, directed the schools to develop Nutrition Gardens, prepared by the PAU Ludhiana and Horticulture Department, having 21 different types of fruit plants apart from Herbal Gardens & Vegetable Gardens which are in the process of being set up.
Apart from this, the Anganwadis having 1000 Sq. Ft. Area are seeing the setting up of Poshan Vatikas.
The 4 Members of the Commission have been allotted 6 Districts each and are exhorted to go in for adopting a school in each district for the purpose of developing a model garden. Among other things, the help of NRIs, as part of the CSR, is also being solicited for installation of stainless steel washbasins and desks in the schools.
The PSFC in liaison with the respective District Administrations and the Health Department also focuses on dental care and other types of healthcare for the school children.
The Mid Day Meal Cooks and the Helpers are being trained about sanitation, hygenic conditions and the nutritional aspects. The Eat Right Melas are being held to make the people aware with regard to the nutritious food.
The Chairman PSFC also presented the coffee table book chronicling the initiatives as well as the achievements of the Punjab State Food Commission to the Ex Member NITI Aayog Dr. Ramesh Chand amid the presence of Chairman Madhya Pradesh Food Commission Prof. V.K. Malhotra.
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