In a small village in Faisalabad, Pakistan, HarvestPlus Solutions launched a groundbreaking school meal pilot project, aiming to improve the health and well-being of local students. With the support of the Government of Canada through a HarvestPlus-funded project, this innovative initiative provided nutritious meals to school learners and fostered sustainable market linkages, ensuring the program’s long-term success.
At the heart of this project was the distribution of whole grain wheat flour, prepared from the zinc-enriched wheat variety Akbar 2019. Over 580 learners, mostly female, received two 10-kg bags of zinc-enriched wheat flour, enough for their three months’ meals. This initiative also included nutrition and general hygiene education for learners, parents, and teachers.
It is pertinent to mention that zinc deficiency is a widespread in Pakistan, particularly among children, leading to stunted growth, weakened immune systems, and impaired cognitive development. According to the National Nutrition Survey 2018, one in every five children under five in Pakistan has inadequate zinc intake in their diet. Rural areas, including Punjab province, are disproportionately affected, with 24.1% of women suffering from zinc deficiency.
By incorporating zinc-rich wheat flour into their diets, these students received a vital nutritional boost. Esha Zahid, a teacher at the “Al Hassan Girls High School” located in the village, noted, “Our school attendance has improved since we distributed zinc-enriched wheat flour among students. They love the taste of chapatti made from it.”
HarvestPlus Solutions’ vision went beyond just providing nutritious meals. The pilot project aimed to create a sustainable ecosystem where local farmers, food processors, and parents could work together to promote healthy eating habits. To achieve this, HarvestPlus Solutions established market linkages between smallholder farmers and local food processors.
In this village, smallholder farmers having zinc-enriched wheat grains of Akbar 2019 were connected with a food processor, who processed the zinc wheat flour at his chakki mill. The food processor then supplied the flour to the school under pilot project, ensuring a steady supply of nutritious wheat flour. This ecosystem also introduced the local food processor to parents, encouraging them to continue purchasing nutritious flour for their families.
Areebah, a student at the school that received zinc-enriched wheat flour, has seen a positive impact at home. Her mother shared, “Our family is now eating zinc-enriched wheat flour since it was introduced at the school. It is nutritious, pure, and of great quality. The chapatti is delicious indeed.”
By creating these sustainable market linkages, HarvestPlus Solutions aimed to make nutritious food accessible and affordable for the local community living in the village. As parents became aware of the benefits of zinc-enriched wheat flour, they were more likely to continue buying it from the local food processor, supporting the local economy and promoting healthy eating habits.
HarvestPlus Solutions’ nutritious school meal program in Faisalabad, Pakistan, serves as a shining example of how innovative partnerships and sustainable market linkages can come together to nourish young minds and promote healthy communities. The results of the pilot project are encouraging and provide a framework for scaling up this initiative based on the lesson learnt. HarvestPlus Solutions is looking forward to inviting partnerships from the public and private sector to further expand the coverage of the initiative. To revolutionize agriculture, enrich communities, and create a healthier, more sustainable future, join our movement.
