In response to an unstarred question raised in the Lok Sabha by MPs S Supongmeren Jamir and Raja Ram Singh, the Minister of State for Women and Child Development, Savitri Thakur, provided state-wise data on malnutrition indicators for children aged 0-5 years, as well as funds released under the Mission Poshan 2.0 scheme. The data, presented on December 13, 2024, showed concerning statistics for Nagaland.
According to the Minister’s reply, 28% of children aged 0-5 in Nagaland are stunted, and 6.6% are underweight. These figures reflect the ongoing challenges in tackling malnutrition in the state, despite various government efforts.
Under the Mission Poshan 2.0 initiative, the central government has released Rs 622.01 crore to Nagaland over the past three years. This funding is part of the broader strategy to address malnutrition through a multi-faceted approach, which includes supplementing nutrition, improving health outcomes, and increasing community engagement.
According to the Ministry, Mission Poshan 2.0, which focuses on improving the nutritional standards for children, pregnant women, lactating mothers, and adolescent girls, has been pivotal in addressing malnutrition across the country. The scheme provides supplementary nutrition and promotes the consumption of fortified rice, millets, and other nutritious foods at Anganwadi centers.
The government’s focus on community mobilization and awareness campaigns has also led to improved nutrition outcomes, as evidenced by data from the Poshan Tracker application. This IT tool, launched in 2021, has been instrumental in tracking nutritional progress and ensuring transparency in the delivery of services at Anganwadi centers.
These efforts are part of a broader national initiative that has shown gradual improvement in malnutrition indicators, including reductions in stunting, underweight, and wasting among children. However, challenges remain in states like Nagaland, which continues to grapple with high rates of childhood malnutrition.