Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Kapurthala, operating under the aegis of the Directorate of Extension Education, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, actively conducted a series of comprehensive training programmes aimed at promoting school nutrition gardens under the PM Poshan scheme. These sessions, held from 12 November to 28 November 2025, engaged mid-day meal in-charge teachers from government schools across the blocks of Sultanpur Lodhi, Kapurthala, Bhulath, and Phagwara.
The primary objective of the initiative was to empower teachers with the technical skills and practical knowledge required to cultivate chemical-free vegetables within school premises. By integrating fresh, home-grown produce into the mid-day meal system, the programme seeks to ensure safer, more nutritious, and wholesome food for schoolchildren. Establishing such gardens not only improves the diversity of food served but also serves as an educational tool, promoting awareness about healthy eating habits among students.
During the trainings, Dr. Amandeep Kaur, Associate Professor (Vegetable Science), highlighted the vital role of fruits and vegetables in maintaining overall health and preventing micronutrient deficiencies. She provided detailed guidance on planning and establishing a model school nutrition garden, including crop selection, seasonal planting schedules, soil preparation, organic nutrient management, and effective pest and disease control using eco-friendly methods. Her demonstrations helped teachers understand how small garden spaces, when managed properly, can significantly contribute to daily dietary requirements of students.
Dr. Harinder Singh, Incharge, KVK Kapurthala, emphasized the broader significance of these programmes in enhancing community health and nutritional security. He noted that training teachers from multiple blocks builds a strong network of awareness and encourages widespread adoption of the University-recommended nutrition garden model. By incorporating garden-fresh vegetables into mid-day meals, schools can improve both the taste and nutritional value of food served to children, thereby addressing persistent nutritional gaps, especially in rural areas.
Through this district-wide initiative, approximately 600 teachers were trained in efficient garden management, crop scheduling, compost preparation, rainwater use, and safe meal preparation practices. The capacity-building effort is expected to lead to the successful establishment of nutrition gardens in a large number of schools, contributing significantly to improved mid-day meal quality, enhanced nutritional intake, and long-term efforts to reduce malnutrition among schoolchildren in Kapurthala district.