Parliament Question: Implementation of NARI project in Karnataka

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH & EDUCATION RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-3222 ANSWERED ON- 20/03/2026 IMPLEMENTATION OF NARI PROJECT IN KARNATAKA 3222. DR. DHARMASTHALA VEERENDRA HEGGADE: Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE be pleased to state: (a) the steps undertaken to implement the Nutri-Sensitive Agri-Resources and Innovations (NARI) Project nationwide along with specific data on its implementation in Karnataka; (b) the key objectives of the NARI and the manner in which it aims to address nutritional deficiencies among rural communities in Karnataka; (c) the details of the Project’s rollout in the 75 selected villages including those located in Karnataka; and (d) the details of estimated number of individuals in Karnataka expected to benefit from the NARI Project and the target population Government seeks to reach? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE (SHRI BHAGIRATH CHOUDHARY) (a), (b) & (d): Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) are implementing Nutri-Sensitive Agricultural Resources and Innovations (NARI) nationwide including in Karnataka to strengthen health and nutrition among the rural population. The activities under NARI promotes diversified diets, nutrit-gardens, nutri-Thalis, biofortified crop varieties, and capacity building on nutrition-sensitive agriculture. NARI activities covered 16,281 farm women through demonstrations on nutrition garden and biofortified crops during 2024-25. Besides, capacity building programmes were organized to educate 1.1 lakh farm women. During the same year, KVKs of Karnataka conducted 498 demonstrations on nutri-garden and 52 on biofortified crop varieties; and organized 218 trainings and extension activities benefitting 14105 farm women. The key objective of NARI activities is to promote nutrition-sensitive agriculture through awareness and capacity building programme on nutri-gardens, nutri-thalis, and biofortified crops. The activities in NARI is to create awareness, update knowledge and develop skills of farm women of Maharashtra on different aspects of nutrition leading to address nutritional deficiencies among rural communities. About 14000 farm families are estimated to be benefitted in Karnataka under NARI. 1(c): The ICAR-Central Institute for Women in Agriculture have implemented Nutri-Smart Village programme through its All India Coordinated Research Project on Women in Agriculture in 75 villages across the country including 10 villages in Karnataka. A total of 3,821 nutri-gardens were established; 30 quintals of seeds were provided to farm families; and 425 exhibitions were conducted to create awareness and knowledge on nutri-smart practices under the programme. A total of 25 exhibitions and 80 capacity- building programmes were organized in Karnataka benefitting 400 farm families. ******* 2