Rampur: Uttar Pradesh’s Amit Verma worked in multinational companies abroad for several years before returning to India. Then, he embarked on a mission to address the issue of child malnutrition in the country. He introduced a nutritional kit called ‘Samvardhan kit’ which has helped over one lakh children in UP. Amit Verma’s Samvardhan team also received the Prime Minster’s Award in 2022 for his contribution to the welfare of society. He was also included in NITI Aayog’s list of 100 distinguished individuals. His aim is to help the farmers while providing nutrition to malnourished children. 

Who is Amit Verma?

Amit Verma earned a BTech degree in Electronics and worked in corporate jobs in India and abroad for 12 to 14 years. During his career, some opportunities allowed him to explore the agricultural sector. He gained knowledge about healthy benefits of millets and other grains. He sought guidance from experts like Padma Shri awardee Bharat Bhushan Tyagi, who is a renowned figure in organic farming. Amit Verma collaborated with several people and formed Rampur Krishak Farmer Producer Company. 

Helping farmers

Amit Verma shares that almost 1550 farmers are registered with his FPO, and more than 5000 farmers are involved with different areas. His initiative helped farmers’ living standards, witnessing a 17 percent increase in income. His organization encourages farmers to adopt more organic methods of farming in their fields. Additionally, women and young individuals have also found employment through this initiative. Over the past three years, farmers have received dividends amounting to Rs 6.93 lakh. 

Processing units

Amit Verma shares that the organization currently makes 40 to 44 products, and the outlets are established in Rampur and Ghaziabad. There are plans to expand the outlets to other locations. To enhance farmers’ income, the focus is on educating them about agricultural product processing and promoting diversification to gain prices beyond MSP. Chief Secretary Durga Shankar Mishra inaugurated a processing unit on 16 July. 

Fight against malnutrition

Amit Verma and a team of doctors from AIIMS and ICMR, visited a severely malnourished child in Rampur. They witnessed the critical condition of the child, and gave him Amla juice. The healthy drink led to significant improvement from the very next day. Subsequently, organic food was introduced, resulting in noticeable health improvements of impoverished children. So far, Amit Verma’s products have been beneficial to over one lakh children across various districts.

Financial support

The funds for the Samvardhan kit are sourced from the budget allocated by the Gram Panchayat. The initiative was launched in January 2021, which involves identifying malnourished children through the ICDS, followed by an assessment by a team of doctors. The Anganwadis help in delivering the nutritional kits to the recipients. 

Positive impact

The kits were distributed in 12 districts of UP, including Rampur, Moradabad, Sambhal, Firozabad, Farrukhabad, Kanpur, Pilibhit, Amroha, Bulandshahr, Bhadohi, and Hapur. The quick improvement in the health of malnourished children prompted the government officials to issue a protocol for this cost-effective solution. Amit Verma’s team has also introduced iron-rich products to address anemia in women. 

Amit Verma highlights efforts to expand their initiative in Telangana with the assistance of FPO. The focus extends to encouraging farmers to cultivate diverse crops for sustainable agricultural practices.