‘SEHAT’ launched to strengthen agriculture-nutrition-health convergence

Union Health and Family Welfare Minister J. P. Nadda unveiled “SEHAT – Science Excellence for Health through Agricultural Transformation”, a national programme aimed at translating agricultural advancements into improved public health outcomes.

The initiative seeks to strengthen the convergence between agriculture, nutrition, and public health.

SEHAT is a collaborative initiative of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), and Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).

The programme reflects an integrated approach to addressing malnutrition, lifestyle diseases and emerging health challenges through agricultural innovation.

Key Focus Areas of SEHAT

The mission focuses on five priority areas of national significance.

1. Biofortified and Nutrient-Dense Crops: The programme aims to develop and evaluate:

• Biofortified crops, and
• Nutrient-rich crop varieties

to combat malnutrition and improve nutritional outcomes among the population.

2. Integrated Farming Systems: SEHAT seeks to strengthen integrated farming systems to:

• Promote dietary diversification,
• Improve farm incomes, and
• Enhance agricultural resilience.

The approach links sustainable agriculture with food and nutrition security.

3. Occupational Health of Agricultural Workers: The programme will address occupational health risks faced by agricultural workers through:

• Scientific research, and
• Evidence-based interventions.

This includes reducing exposure to hazardous working conditions and improving health awareness in rural areas.

4. Tackling Non-Communicable Diseases: SEHAT promotes agriculture-enabled strategies for preventing and managing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as:

• Diabetes,
• Hypertension, and
• Cardiovascular diseases.

The focus is on:

• Functional foods, and
• Nutritionally superior crop varieties.

5. One Health Preparedness: The initiative also strengthens the One Health approach through:

• Integrated surveillance,
• Diagnostics, and
• Research at the human–animal–environment interface.

This is aimed at improving preparedness against zoonotic diseases and public health emergencies.

Source: DD