Periodic engagement with multiple stakeholders to leverage feedback and partnerships is nascent to the FSN study

From the very inception of Farming System for Nutrition (FSN) Study, continuous effort has been made to engage with stakeholders. At both Koraput and Wardha, Technology Platforms and Stakeholder Engagement Consultations are organised at State, District and community levels to encourage understanding of the study as well as leverage valuable inputs from participants. Events have been held at Bhubaneswar, Nagpur, and Jeypore.                       

Technology Platform discussions involve research institutions, universities and private sector, while Stakeholder Consultations enjoy interaction with government, donors, NGOs and farmers' groups.

The FSN short documentary film  was screened to introduce or refresh the concept to the audience, and then study progress is presented and suggestions / recommendations are sought. Stakeholders came forward pledging support to the FSN study under LANSA and this has resulted in many partnerships.

In the Nagpur meeting, Dr M S Ladaniya, Director - National Research Centre for Citrus suggested incorporation of nutritious vegetables in the nutrition gardens and confirmed support in sourcing appropriate planting materials. All the consultations resulted in inputs being elicited, identifying gaps and adding value to future activities of the project.

Dr R S Gopalan, Director Agriculture, Govt of Odisha offered full support for the intervention in Odisha at the Bhubaneswar meeting.

Dr Archana Mukherjee, Head Regional Station – CTCRI, Bhubaneswar highlighted the importance of tuber crops and has provided planting materials for multiplication at both sites.

Such periodic engagement meetings have resulted positively creating conducive atmosphere to receive LANSA research evidence under FSN in India.