b'In every region of the world, women are less likely than men to have the food they need.Within the household there are cultural beliefs about whats right for individuals to eat. Is it the breadwinner who should get the most food? Is it the pregnant woman? .When quality food is limited, these are all difficult decisions that families make. Dr. Laurie Miller,Bishnu Chopai child nutrition expert and researcher transports milk from her dairy farm to the local market for sale.Nearly 1/3 of women aged 15-49PHOTO BY NARENDRA SHRESTHAare estimated to have anemia, a condition commonly caused byA BEDROCK OF HEIFERS WORK supporting nutritional deficiencies that cansmallholder farmers is educationnegatively impact maternal andcomprehensive training in topics like animal newborn health. care, crop management and nutrition that equips people with the knowledge they need to build productive farms and keep their families healthy.This training was important to me because I was not that knowledgeable about kitchen gardens and raising animals, said Bishnu Chopai, a dairy producer in Parbat, A balanced diet is the foundation forNepal. After multiple trainings, I gained human development, healthy pregnanciesknowledge about improved seeds, manure and vibrant communitiesand it comespreparation, planting and growing seasonal from having access to sufficient food andvegetables. I applied what I learned in my diverse nutrients. trainings and now Im satisfied. Bishnu also learned how to feed and tend to her cattle to increase the amount of milk they produce, leading to better nutrition for her three daughters and more income for the family.Where absence of nutrition is a starkFarming is important because it helps reality, Heifers work is part of theme make my own living. [Our] kitchen solution, enabling people to provide moregarden and raising animals suits my family of the food they need to prosper. Lastand provides economic support to sustain year we helped nearly 1 million familieslife, she explained. We get to eat organic improvetheir animals productivity,homegrown vegetables and dairy. Unlike past establish kitchen gardensand increasedays, we dont have to buy [from] the market their incomes. and worry about our health. We eat eggs, milk, vegetables, which are nutritious and benefit our health. n'