The Lawngtlai district administration in Mizoram has pioneered an innovative project called ‘Kan Sikul, Kan Huan’ translating to ‘My School, My Farm’. This project is set to be replicated across all schools and colleges in the state of Mizoram. This initiative aims to combat the prevalent shortage of fruits and vegetables in the region, more so, by deploying a sustainable solution – setting up kitchen or nutritional gardens in every school.
The Objectives of Kan Sikul, Kan Huan
The primary goal of the project is to help make Lawngtlai, a district which is one of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged within Mizoram, self-sufficient in growing its own local varieties of fruits and vegetables. The initiative was also designed with the intent to combat the issue of malnutrition among children by March 2020. This is achieved by encouraging every school, Anganwadi, child care institutions, and hostels in Lawngtlai to cultivate their own fruits and vegetables. This endeavor is made possible thanks to the dedication and involvement of teachers, parents, and community members.
It’s noteworthy that the objectives of Kan Sikul, Kan Huan are in consonance with the central government’s Poshan Abhiyan, aimed at ensuring holistic development and adequate nutrition for pregnant women, mothers, and children.
Kan Sikul, Kan Huan: Addressing Nutritional Challenges in Lawngtlai
Lawngtlai is Mizoram’s most backward and disaster-prone district. It’s harboring an alarming percentage of malnourished children under the age of five. As per the district’s statistics, 35.3% of children are stunted, 21.3% are underweight, and 5.9% are severely wasted (low weight-for-height). These figures peak the charts in Mizoram. The Kan Sikul, Kan Huan project is a beacon of hope in improving these statistics and ameliorating the overall nutritional health in the district.
Impact of Kitchen/Nutrition Gardens
The implementation of kitchen or nutrition gardens has proven beneficial on multiple counts. One significant boon is its impact on enhancing the nutritional content of the midday meals served in schools.
Quick Facts about Lawngtlai District and Kan Sikul, Kan Huan Project
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Lawngtlai, Mizoram |
| Nutrition Status of Children (under 5) | 35.3% stunted, 21.3% underweight, 5.9% severely wasted |
| Innovative Project | Kan Sikul, Kan Huan (‘My School, My Farm’) |
| Objective | Self-sufficiency in local fruits and vegetables, combat malnutrition |
| Key Stakeholders | Teachers, parents, community members |
| Alignment with Central Government Initiative | Poshan Abhiyan |
Lasting Implications of the Project
The Kan Sikul, Kan Huan project isn’t just a solution to the problem; it’s a model of sustainable and community-based development. It embodies the potent power of local resources and collective action in betterment of societal health and wellness.
