MAHENDERGARH, 16.05.26-A one-day off-campus capacity-building programme for farm women on “Vitamin D-Enriched Functional Food Development for Nutritional Self-Reliance” was successfully organized on Friday.

The programme was conducted under the Haryana DST-funded project titled “Development of Vitamin D Enriched Functional Food Products for the Management of Hypovitaminosis D among Adolescent Girls of Haryana.”The programme was organized by Dr. Anita Kumari (Project Investigator) along with Ph.D. scholars Debolina, Nikita, and Daisy, in collaboration with Dr. Poonam Yadav (District Extension Specialist) and Dr. Satyajeet (Senior Coordinator), Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Mahendergarh.

Vice-Chancellor Prof. Tankeshwar Kumar congratulated the research team for their consistent efforts in translating laboratory-based research into meaningful societal benefits. He appreciated the initiative for addressing the widespread issue of Vitamin D deficiency through innovative and community-oriented solutions, and emphasized the importance of linking scientific research with grassroots outreach to promote Atmanirbhar Poshan and empower women towards nutritional self-reliance.

Pro-Vice Chancellor (Prof. Pawan Kumar Sharma) appreciated the initiative of research team for promoting nutritional self-reliance among farm women through the development of Vitamin D-enriched functional food products and stated that such community-based programmes play a vital role in strengthening health, nutrition, and sustainable livelihoods at the grassroots level. Registrar Prof. Suneel Kumar stated that such off-campus hands-on training programmes are highly beneficial in developing practical skills and entrepreneurial abilities among women beneficiaries.

Dean Research cum CO-PI Prof. Neelam Sangwan and Prof. Surender Singh (CO-PI) emphasized that such initiatives play a significant role in enhancing both nutritional security and economic empowerment among vulnerable sections of society and further commended the programme for promoting need-based and translational research that creates a direct and meaningful impact on community health and women empowerment. Prof. Umesh Kumar, Head, Nutrition Biology mentioned that such programmes effectively bridge the gap between laboratory research and field-level application, ensuring tangible benefits in terms of improved nutrition, health awareness, and community empowerment.