Kerala university and Barbados launch home‑garden programs to boost household nutrition

Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) has introduced the ‘Panchakam’ model, a home‑garden scheme that encourages every family to grow five nutrient‑rich crops – drumstick, papaya, chilli, curry leaf and cowpea – in small spaces such as terraces or balconies. Vice‑Chancellor T. Sajitha Rani said the initiative aims to close the gap between the recommended 300 g of vegetables per person per day and Kerala’s current average of 100–120 g, improving nutritional security and reducing reliance on market produce. The model was developed by Emeritus Professor T. Pradeepkumar of KAU’s Department of Vegetable Science.

In Barbados, Agriculture Minister Dr Shantal Munro‑Knight announced the One Family Programme, which will provide resources such as seedlings, grow bags, grow boxes, chicken coops and technical support to 600 households. The programme, beginning with three demonstration farms, is designed to revive interest in agriculture, enable families to produce their own food and strengthen the island’s food security.