The Himachal Pradesh government has approved the Himachal Pradesh Nutrition Policy, 2026, to address malnutrition, anaemia, micronutrient deficiencies and poor dietary diversity. The policy also aims to tackle emerging diet-related diseases through a coordinated approach involving multiple government departments.
The policy promotes traditional Himachali foods, seasonal fruits, pulses, millets, green leafy vegetables, dairy products, and other locally available nutritious ingredients. It seeks to improve public health by encouraging healthy eating habits and making nutritious food more accessible and affordable.
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Focus on Maternal and Child Nutrition
The policy adopts a life-cycle approach, with particular emphasis on the first 1,000 days of life, maternal and child nutrition, adolescents, and vulnerable communities.
It aims to promote balanced and culturally acceptable diets that households can easily include in their daily meals. It will pay special attention to people living in remote and tribal areas to improve their access to nutrition and healthcare services.
Coordination Across Government Departments
The policy envisages coordinated efforts by departments responsible for health and family welfare, women and child development, education, agriculture, horticulture, food and civil supplies, Jal Shakti, rural development and panchayati raj.
To strengthen planning, implementation and monitoring, the government proposes establishing a State Nutrition Coordination Cell (SNCC) and District Nutrition Coordination Cells (DNCCs). These bodies are intended to improve coordination among departments and support the implementation of nutrition-related initiatives.
The policy also focuses on strengthening food safety infrastructure and surveillance. It proposes upgrading the Composite Testing Laboratory (CTL) at Kandaghat and establishing four laboratories across the state. The process of setting up a new laboratory at Dharamshala has already begun.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said the government was committed to building a healthy, well-nourished and empowered Himachal Pradesh. He emphasised that every child, woman and citizen must have access to safe, nutritious and affordable food, with particular attention to vulnerable communities and people in remote areas.
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Kullu Pomegranates Exported to Dubai
In a separate development, 1.3 metric tonnes of Sinduri-variety pomegranates grown in Kullu district have been exported to Dubai, Sukhu said on Thursday.
He said the government was helping farmers access markets within the state, across the country and internationally to secure remunerative prices for their produce.
The regional office of the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), Chandigarh, facilitated the export. The consignment was sourced from farmers in Kullu and the Bhuntar Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO), which is based in the district and has around 600 farmers associated with it.