Stakeholders conglomerate to bolster leadership, decentralised
nutrition planning in Meghalaya
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, June 13: Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Friday announced a comprehensive roadmap to address malnutrition in Meghalaya, including a Rs 10 crore infrastructure plan, pilot nutrition models in select blocks and stronger involvement of Self-Help Groups (SHGs), during the conclusion of the two-day District Nutrition Leadership Workshop held in the state capital on Friday.
According to a statement here, the workshop, organised by the state government in collaboration with the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), brought together ministers, deputy commissioners, block development officers, and officials from Health, Social Welfare, Education and allied departments under the Human Development Council (HDC) to strengthen leadership and decentralised nutrition planning across all 12 districts.
In his keynote address, the chief minister stressed the importance of a unified and convergent approach to tackle malnutrition.
He then outlined three key areas of action moving forward.
“First, he stressed the need to increase state-side budgetary allocations to improve both the quantity and taste of existing nutrition supplements. Second, he proposed a parallel implementation model. Without disrupting the current systems, the state could pilot nutrition interventions in two or three blocks by incorporating local foods and involving Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and VHCs in preparation and distribution. Third, he reaffirmed the government’s commitment to infrastructure development through convergence,” the statement said.
On the occasion, the chief minister also announced financial clearance for an estimated Rs 9-10 crore to establish Mini Anganwadi Centres in 1,400 currently uncovered villages under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS).
“We will work with the Social Welfare Department to ensure these centres are completed by combining MGNREGS, state funds and externally aided projects,” he said.
Conrad also shared that the state government will soon launch a focused nutrition and millets mission under the leadership of Agriculture Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh, who, he added, has been closely working on addressing regional nutrition challenges. “This mission will align perfectly with the goals of the Human Development Council,” the chief minister concluded.
On the other hand, Chief Secretary DP Wahlang emphasised the need to activate school and Anganwadi nutrition gardens, calling them “low-cost, high-impact interventions.”
He underlined anaemia among pregnant women and high stunting rates as major concerns, stating that district and block officials must take ownership of addressing these challenges.
During the programme, Development Commissioner Dr. Sampath Kumar presented stark statistics, noting a 46.5 per cent stunting rate in Meghalaya.
Kumar then urged cultural and structural shifts, stressing that malnutrition is not only a health issue but one rooted in poverty, education, gender, sanitation and food systems. He said that investments in early childhood development could yield up to 23 times the return in long-term economic outcomes.
Kumar also highlighted the evolution of Meghalaya’s State Human Development Architecture, noting the operationalisation of District and Block Human Development Teams, the Human Development Leadership Programme and rescue missions as powerful tools driving convergence across departments. “Malnutrition is not just a health problem—it’s about poverty, education, water, sanitation, food systems, and societal mindsets. This is why a multi-sectoral, community-first approach is vital,” he said.
It may be mentioned that the workshop also featured a plan to operationalise village-level Nutrition Committees and pilot community-based nutrition models engaging SHGs, traditional leaders and local institutions.
During the programme, presentations by districts shed light on diverse challenges and proposed solutions.
“Eastern West Khasi Hills identified health and nutrition as cross-cutting concerns, citing deeply rooted dietary habits, poor diversity and limited community awareness as key barriers. East Khasi Hills advocated for increased father involvement, the use of local role models and mobilising community volunteers to strengthen awareness and service uptake. South Garo Hills reported mixed progress, with maternal anemia rates improving but stunting increasing significantly. South West Khasi Hills emphasised the revival of traditional, nutrient-rich diets such as millets to combat anemia. Many of the remaining districts echoed similar sentiments, emphasising the need for greater convergence, culturally relevant interventions, improved data fidelity and stronger frontline engagement to accelerate nutrition outcomes across Meghalaya,” the statement said.
It is pertinent to note that international experts from the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), including Rasmi Avula and Dr. Purnima Menon, underscored the importance of local food systems, human-centric design and empowering frontline workers.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks from Director of Social Welfare CD Lyngwa, who lauded the collaborative spirit of all stakeholders in striving toward Meghalaya’s human development goals.