A Newly Introduced Millet-based Take Home Ration: Utilization, Strength & Challenges in Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, Gujarat
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2025-06
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Dr.Viral R.Dave
Abstract
Introduction: The Government of India is promoting millet-based nutrition through Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) and POSHAN Abhiyaan. In December 2023, two ICDS blocks of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) implemented a pilot project to provide a millet-based Take Home Ration (THR). Objectives: To evaluate the utilization and barriers in utilization of a millet-based Take Home Ration compared to the standard Take Home Ration among beneficiaries and to identify strength and challenges in effective implementation of millet-based Take Home Ration. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted across 60 Anganwadi Centres (AWCs), with 30 each from millet-based THR and standard THR blocks. Using WHO cluster sampling and Probability Proportional to Size methodology, a total of 1,627 beneficiaries were surveyed—comprising children aged 6 months to 3 years (n1=1178), pregnant women (n2=220), and lactating mothers (n3=229). Data were collected in April 2024, four months post-implementation, using a structured, pilot-tested questionnaire. Results: Utilization of millet-based THR was lower (n=749, 92%) compared to standard THR (n=773, 95%), with a significant gap among children (91.8% vs. 95.9%, p=0.003). However, the frequency of consumption per week (3.4±2.05 vs. 2.3±1.33 times, p<0.001) and monthly packet usage (5.05±1.9 vs. 4.5±2 packet, p<0.001) were significantly higher in the millet-based group. Barriers to utilization included disliking the taste (53%) and appearance (47%). Awareness of the change in THR composition was limited (53%), and recipe demonstrations were not conducted. Conclusion: Millet-based THR was well tolerated with no adverse effects. However, effective implementation requires improved taste, community sensitization and training of Anganwadi workers.
Description
Keywords
Challenges, Comparative study, ICDS, Millets, Nutrition, Take Home Ration
Citation
Gajjar K, B Mital, Shah SM, Shukla A, Joshi B.. A Newly Introduced Millet-based Take Home Ration: Utilization, Strength & Challenges in Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, Gujarat . Indian Association of Preventive and Social Medicine, Gujarat Chapter. 2025 Jun; 16(2): 104-110