In the heart of Maholi village in Bhopal district, a quiet but powerful transformation is taking root. On a small patch of land next to her home, Vinita Kushwaha, a 35-year-old mother of three, is cultivating more than just vegetables  she s cultivating a new way of life.

For years, Vinita had been growing seasonal vegetables on the fringes of her farmland. But the yields were erratic, and she lacked the technical know-how to make the most of what she had. That changed when Maya Kushwaha, a trained Nutrition Para Worker under the Good Farming–Good Food–Good Health (GFGFGH) programme by Solidaridad, visited her during a community outreach drive.

Maya introduced Vinita to the concept of a nutrition garden  a small, well-managed patch where a family can grow a variety of nutrient-rich vegetables year-round. Along with scientifically packed seasonal seeds — spinach, fenugreek, okra, brinjal, tomatoes, and more — Maya offered practical guidance on how to prepare raised beds, maintain crop rotation, and use organic compost.

I used to just scatter seeds and hope something would grow, Vinita admits. I didn’t know that the way we prepare the soil and plan the planting makes such a big difference.

With support from the GFGFGH field team, she laid out six raised beds on her 1,000 sq ft plot using a multi-tier cropping system. Within just two months, her garden started producing enough vegetables to meet 80% of her family’s daily nutrition needs, drastically reducing dependency on the market.

The garden now yields around 10–12 kg of fresh vegetables each week, enough to feed her family and occasionally share with neighbors. This has helped her save nearly ₹500–700 every month, which earlier went into buying vegetables from the local haat.

But the benefits go far beyond economics. Vinita has become more conscious about the nutritional value of different foods. Her children now eat home-grown leafy greens, and she s started including drumstick leaves, amaranth, and carrots in daily meals. Maya also trained her on how to prepare recipes rich in iron and protein—especially important in a region where anemia among rural women is as high as 52.5%, as per NFHS-5.

This garden has made a big difference in our lives, Vinita says with pride. We’re not only eating better, but I also feel more confident in managing our food needs.

Vinita s thriving garden has inspired at least five other women in her self-help group to start their own. Together, they now exchange seeds, recipes, and farming tips growing a small but resilient network of women who are turning nutrition into a community movement.

In a world where rural malnutrition and rising food prices remain pressing challenges, Vinita s story is proof that solutions can be as local as a backyard garden — and as powerful as a woman determined to grow change.