-Ramphal Kataria
Abstract
Haryana has adopted a multi-pronged strategy aligned with Poshan Abhiyaan to reduce undernutrition, especially among girl children. This paper uses NFHS-4 (2015–16) and (2019–21) survey data, Agriculture Census evidence, and recent State Budget and programme information to:
1. describe the current nutritional situation in Haryana;
2. diagnose structural and behavioural causes (including declining livestock ownership, shrinking landholdings and dietary transition);
3. assess the capacity of the Women & Child Development (WCD) Department to respond through Anganwadi networks, supplementary nutrition and fortification; and
4. propose an integrated, budgeted, cross-departmental action plan with clear monitoring and evaluation metrics.
1. Introduction
Malnutrition in early childhood reduces human capital, impairs cognition, and increases morbidity and mortality. While Haryana has recorded measurable improvements between NFHS-4 and NFHS-5, pockets of vulnerability persist—particularly among Scheduled Castes, landless families, and economically weaker groups.
Despite Haryana’s agricultural wealth and historically milk-rich diets, structural changes in agriculture, livestock patterns, and market behaviour have reduced nutrient-dense food access among vulnerable households. This paper provides an evidence-based assessment and proposes a multidimensional strategy tailored to Haryana’s emerging needs.
2. Data Sources and Methods
2.1 Data Sources
NFHS-4 (2015–16) and NFHS-5 (2019–21) state fact sheets
Agriculture Census 2015–16 and state agricultural datasets
WCD Departmental Data related to SNP, AWC functioning, and Poshan Tracker
Haryana Budget (2024–25) — Demand for Grants of WCD Department
Relevant research literature on diet change, livestock economics and fodder availability
2.2 Methods
Descriptive trend analysis comparing NFHS-4 and NFHS-5
Causal inference based on literature and socioeconomic patterns
Gap analysis of programme design and resource allocation
Indicative cost modelling for supplementation and fortification interventions
3. Nutritional Status: Trends from NFHS-4 to NFHS-5
Below are core NFHS indicators inserted in table format.
Table 1: Prevalence of Underweight (0–5 years)
Indicator | NFHS-4 (2015–16) | NFHS-5 (2019–21) | Change |
Underweight children | 29.4% | 21.5% | –7.9 percentage points |
Table 2: Prevalence of Stunting (0–5 years)
Indicator | NFHS-4 (2015–16) | NFHS-5 (2019–21) | Change |
Stunted children | 34.0% | 30.0% | –4.0 percentage points |
Table 3: Prevalence of Wasting (0–5 years)
Indicator | NFHS-4 (2015–16) | NFHS-5 (2019–21) | Change |
Wasted children | 21.2% | 17.3% | –3.9 percentage points |
Table 4: Prevalence of Severe Wasting (0–5 years)
Indicator | NFHS-4 (2015–16) | NFHS-5 (2019–21) | Change |
Severe wasting | 7.0% | 6.4% | –0.6 percentage point |
Table 5: Anaemia Prevalence in Children (6–59 months)
Indicator | NFHS-4 (2015–16) | NFHS-5 (2019–21) | Change |
Anaemia (6–59 months) | 71.7% | 73.2% | +1.5 percentage points |
3.1 Key Observations
Haryana shows significant improvement in underweight, stunting, wasting and severe wasting.
Anaemia has worsened, indicating micronutrient deficiency remains unaddressed.
The improvement is uneven across districts, with SC, landless and low-income households showing higher vulnerability.
Poshan Tracker quarterly snapshots (2022–2025) show incremental improvement in growth monitoring quality and SNP coverage but highlight district-level data inconsistencies.
4. Structural Causes and Pathways
4.1 Dietary Transition & Declining Household Milk Availability
Traditionally, Haryana’s nutrition relied heavily on home-produced milk. However:
Shrinking landholdings
High fodder prices
Decline in common grazing lands
Reduced household livestock ownership
have collectively reduced daily milk availability among poorer households, especially girls.
4.2 Shrinking Operational Landholdings
Agriculture Census shows:
Average holding size has decreased, reducing crop residues and by-product fodder.
Marginal farmers face difficulty maintaining even 1–2 milch animals.
4.3 Market & Agronomic Transformation
Shift toward herbicide-driven, high-intensity cropping reduces fodder grasses.
Commercial crops (cotton, vegetables) produce less fodder than traditional cereals.
4.4 Poverty, Inequity & Social Norms
Lower-income households prioritise low-cost, filling foods over nutrient-dense ones.
Intra-household gender disparities negatively affect girl children’s diet.
4.5 Programme Gaps
Inconsistent SNP quality across AWCs
Occasional stock-outs and storage issues
Limited micronutrient testing (Vitamin D, Hb)
Incomplete supervision at circle/block level
5. Role of WCD & Anganwadi Network — Opportunities and Limits
Strengths
26,000+ Anganwadi Centres providing universal access
Existing SNP structure (hot-cooked meals + THR)
Poshan Tracker for near-real-time monitoring
Established platform for growth monitoring, BCC and maternal counselling
Limitations
Variability in capacity of Anganwadi Workers
Budget constraints for protein-rich supplementation
Limited infrastructure for cold storage
Inconsistent quality assurance mechanisms for fortified ingredients
6. Budget and Resource Assessment
The Haryana WCD Department's 2024–25 allocation broadly covers:
Supplementary nutrition
AWCs
Maternity and girl-child schemes
6.1 Preliminary Gap Assessment
Intervention | Cost Implication | Feasibility |
Hb Test Kits (monthly screening) | Moderate recurring | High feasibility |
Protein Milk Bars / 200 ml Milk | High recurring | Feasible in pilot districts |
Low incremental | Statewide scalable | |
Capital-heavy | Convergence model needed | |
Moderate recurring | Highly impactful |
Existing budgets may support pilot interventions, but statewide scale-up requires convergence with Health, Agriculture, Rural Development and Finance Departments.
7. Cross-Departmental Cooperation Needed
Department | Key Roles |
Health | Micronutrient testing, SAM/MAM management, deworming, facility referrals |
Agriculture & Animal Husbandry | Fodder banks, dairy cooperatives, forage seed distribution |
PM Poshan coordination for continuity | |
Land for community nutrition gardens, SHG mobilisation | |
Finance | Budget restructuring, outcome-based budgeting |
8. Programmatic Recommendations (Operational + M&E)
1. Universal micronutrient screening (Hb + Vitamin D) for children and women.
Twice-weekly protein milk bars / 200 ml milk
3. Mandatory fortification of flour supplied to AWCs; district testing labs.
4. Dairy revival pilot in high-burden blocks:
Fodder banks
Women’s dairy SHGs
5. District Convergence Cells for monthly joint review using Poshan Tracker dashboards.
6. Capacity building for AWWs, including performance-linked incentives.
7. Strong Monitoring & Evaluation with:
Stepped-wedge trials for protein supplementation
Independent evaluations
Monthly public dashboards
9. Indicative Budgeting
Example: Per Child Costing
Item | Unit Cost | Monthly Cost per Child |
Hb Test Strip | ₹12 | ₹12 |
Protein Milk Bar (2/week) | ₹8 x 8 | ₹64 |
Fortified Flour Increment | ₹0.5/kg | ₹8 |
AWW performance incentive | – | ₹20 |
Staged Rollout Model
Pilot phase: 3 high-burden districts, 6 months
Evaluation: Effect on wasting, anaemia
Scale-up: Statewide in 2–3 phases based on evidence and budget
10. Conclusion
Haryana has achieved measurable gains in child nutrition, but these remain fragile. A multidimensional strategy — combining short-term supplementation (protein bars, fortified ingredients, micronutrient screening) with medium-term structural changes (fodder support, dairy cooperatives, kitchen gardens, agrarian convergence) — is essential.
A phased, evidence-driven rollout with rigorous M&E and convergence between WCD, Health, Agriculture and Finance Departments will yield the highest return on investment in child and maternal nutrition.
References
1. Government of India. (2017). National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4), 2015–16: Haryana Fact Sheet.
2. Government of India. (2021). National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), 2019–21: Haryana Fact Sheet.
3. Government of India. (2019). Agriculture Census 2015–16: Operational Holdings Report.
4. Government of Haryana. (2024). Demand for Grants 2024–25: Women & Child Development Department.
5. Ministry of Women & Child Development. (2022). Poshan Abhiyaan Guidelines.
6. International Institute for Population Sciences. (2022). NFHS-5 National Report.
7. Deolalikar, A. (2005). Poverty and child malnutrition in India. Asian Development Review.
8. Gulati, A., et al. (2024). Revitalising India’s Dairy Sector. ICRIER.
9. Kumar, P., & Singh, R. (2018). Fodder scarcity and livestock productivity. Indian Journal of Agricultural Economics.
10. UNICEF India. (2023). Improving Child Nutrition through Community-Based Approaches.
Annex 1: Detailed NFHS-4 & NFHS-5 Comparative Tables
A. Anthropometric Indicators (0–5 years)
Indicator | NFHS-4 | NFHS-5 | Change |
Stunted | 34.0% | 30.0% | –4.0% |
Severely Stunted | 14.1% | 11.2% | –2.9% |
Wasted | 21.2% | 17.3% | –3.9% |
Severely Wasted | 7.0% | 6.4% | –0.6% |
Underweight | 29.4% | 21.5% | –7.9% |
B. Anaemia (6–59 months)
Indicator | NFHS-4 | NFHS-5 | Change |
Anaemic children | 71.7% | 73.2% | +1.5% |
Annex 2: Indicative Budget Template
Budget Head | Unit Cost | Total Estimated Cost (Pilot 3 Districts) |
Hb Testing | ₹12/test | ₹1.5 crore |
Protein Milk Bars | ₹64/child/month | ₹8 crore |
Fortified Flour | Minimal | ₹0.5 crore |
Training & Incentives | – | ₹1 crore |
M&E | – | ₹0.8 crore |
Annex 3: Monitoring Indicators
% children screened for Hb
% AWCs providing fortified flour
% children receiving protein supplementation
% AWCs achieving >90% growth monitoring quality
Reduction in wasting and anaemia in pilot districts
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