Impact of horticulture on nutritional and health security(A case study of Telangana State)

The term ‘nutritional security’ emerged in the mid-1990 and occupied an important place in economy rater than food security.The food consumption by the individual or household and on how that food is utilized by the body becomes more important. In 1995, International Food Policy Research Institute ( IFPRI) defined nutritional security as adequate nutritional status in terms of protein, vitamins, energy and minerals for all household members at all times. Malnutrition remains an important health problem in India. Globe Hunger Index (GHI) reveals that malnutrition, stunting, mortality rate of under- five say that one of three children in India has been affected with the growth which occupied 15 percent of total population. The proper social environment provides appropriate growth and development of childhood. Moreover, it promotes health and prevents diseases in adulthood. In the case of India, an average annual consumption of fruits was 9.6 kg of rural, 15.6 kg of urban and 12 kg of India. In the case of vegetables, on an average of 74.3 kg of rural, 79.1 kg of urban and 76.1 kg of India. However, in India on an average of a consumer taking fruits and vegetables combined together 400 grams which includes 100 grams of green leafy vegetables, 200 grams of other vegetables and 100 grams of roots & tubers. In addition to this, fresh fruits must be taken 100 grams regularly. The requirement of iron and folic acid are higher for pregnant women. Indian council of Medical Research (ICMR) recommended that a consumer must take 325 grams of food which includes fruits and vegetables. However, in Telangana state, it was confined to 250 grams which is less than national average. A pregnant women have to take 100 grams of leafy vegetable daily but overweight candidates have to avoid high-calories vegetable and fruits. In 2024, the total production of horticulture was confined to 353.19 million tonnes which was 3.17 percent higher than the previous year. Increasing of horticulture production is an indication for nutritional and health security of India.