Jamshedpur: Campaign to keep Sabars healthy and malnutrition free, 382 families from 31 villages linked to the Kitchen Garden

Campaign Launched to Promote Health and Eradicate Malnutrition Among Sabar Families

Mail News Service

Jamshedpur, May 17: In a dedicated effort to uplift the Sabar tribe residing in remote and inaccessible areas, the district administration has embarked on a campaign focusing on their health and nutrition. Deputy Commissioner Vijaya Jadhav, demonstrating profound concern for the living conditions, government scheme implementation, and well-being of the Sabar families, prioritizes field visits to Sabar settlements. Her guidance to officials reinforces the importance of enhancing their efforts in these areas.

The Joint Tribal Development Society (JTDS) has undertaken a project as part of this initiative aiming to bring positive change to the lives and health of Sabar families. By creating the open spaces near hand pumps and other areas in front of their houses “Poshan Vatika” or Kitchen Garden, the JTDS is fostering improvements in nutrition and well-being. Currently, Poshan Vatika has been established, connecting 382 primitive tribal families in 31 villages across 18 panchayats in Potka, Dumaria, Musabani, Patmada, and Bodam blocks.

Through collaboration with the District Horticulture Department, a kitchen garden has been established. This garden, inaugurated by the Director of the National Education Program a few months ago in Dhusra village of the Patmada block promotes the consumption of nutritious food. JTDS has distributed seeds of gourd, bitter gourd, ridge gourd, tomato, okra, Amaranth leaves, and other leafy vegetables to the 382 beneficiaries for their kitchen gardens. With intensive follow-up and meetings, the JTDS has successfully inspired Sabar families to participate in the kitchen garden yielding promising results.

In all 31 villages and hamlets across the five blocks, Sabar households now cultivate vegetables not only for personal consumption but also to generate a modest income by selling their produce in local markets. The kitchen garden project aims to combat malnutrition and anemia by promoting the inclusion of vitamins and nutrients through vegetable consumption in meals and beverages.

The Deputy Project Manager (DPM) of JTDS explained that this scheme is being implemented with the cooperation of the Central and Jharkhand Governments to foster economic and social upliftment of tribal families. In addition to raising awareness about health, education, savings, livelihood, animal husbandry and agriculture the scheme provides each family with livestock based on their preferences and needs. Furthermore, training is offered on creating products using bamboo and leaves. The scheme also includes connecting Sabar communities with Galla shops, Manihari shops, tea and breakfast establishments and other economic ventures. The comprehensive efforts made by the district administration, in collaboration with various departments, non-governmental organizations, and the local community, demonstrate a firm commitment to improve the well-being and livelihoods of the Sabar tribe. With a focus on health, nutrition, and economic empowerment, the campaign aims to bring lasting positive change to the lives of Sabar families and contribute to their overall development.