The Betul Anomaly: Weaving Nutrition Security Through Agro-forestry in Madhya Pradesh

This case study addresses the persistent public health crisis of malnutrition in Madhya Pradesh , where high rates of childhood stunting (35.7%) , wasting (19%) , and rampant anemia (67.2% in children) persist despite decades of interventions. It identifies a core "convergence conundrum" where existing programs, like the Public Distribution System (PDS) and Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) , successfully provide food security (calories via cereals) but fail to ensure nutrition security (access to a diverse diet). This leaves families trapped in a cycle of monotonous, nutrient-poor meals. To break this impasse, the case explores a solution proposed by NABARD, aligned with NITI Aayog's G.R.O.W. initiative : empowering small farmers to cultivate diverse, nutrient-rich foods on their own land through integrated agro-forestry. It details specific strategies, such as the "Homestead Agri-Horti-Forestry Model" ('Poshan Vatika Plus') , which combines millets , fruit trees , kitchen gardens, and small livestock like poultry to directly improve household diets. The case follows the implementation of the "Sampoorn Poshan" pilot in Betul district , detailing its on-ground challenges (e.g., farmer skepticism, regulatory permits) and solutions, like reimagining Anganwadi workers as 'Poshan Preraks'. After two years, the pilot demonstrated success, significantly increasing household dietary diversity and reducing anemia. The case concludes with the central dilemma: how to scale this resource-intensive pilot into a sustainable, financially viable, and administratively feasible statewide program for Madhya Pradesh's remaining 51 districts.