Rainbow Diet Campaign [UPSC Notes]

A central government agriculture research institute has launched an ambitious rainbow diet campaign for promoting the health and wellness of tribals in a natural way at an affordable cost. This campaign is called the Rainbow Diet Campaign. In this article, you can read more about this campaign, this topic is relevant for the IAS exam social issues and health segments.

Rainbow Diet Campaign

The Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (CTCRI) of ICAR established the programme known as the “Rainbow Diet Campaign.”

• This programme uses field interventions to encourage the growth and use of biofortified tuber crop varieties created by ICAR-CTCRI. 
• The Rainbow Diet Campaign project is currently carried out through three specialised programmes: Capacity Plus, SCHOOL CONNECT, and Nutriseed Village.
• A plateful of food products made from biofortified sweet potato, cassava, and millets would make up the tuber crops rainbow diet, which would provide balanced nutrition for tackling the malnutrition problem.

Objectives of the campaign:

1. To popularize biofortified tubers and value-added products made from them among the tribal communities for tackling malnutrition and ensuring a balanced diet.
2. To extend its tuber crop-based ‘rainbow diet’ campaign to more areas in the country with sizeable tribal populations.

What is a Tuber?

Tubers are a type of enlarged structure used as storage organs for nutrients in some plants.

• Examples are yams, aroids, sweet potatoes, cassava, and potatoes.
• Tubers are a rich source of complex carbohydrates.
• They are a good source of minerals and vitamins, and are also low in toxins.
• Tubers also minimise tissue damage.

Rainbow Diet Campaign [UPSC Notes]:- Download PDF Here