Malnutrition and nutritional deficiencies remain a major concern in the dry zone areas of Sri Lanka, primarily due to poverty, lack of awareness, and limited knowledge on how to utilize locally available food in a nutritious way. To address this issue, the Smallholder Agribusiness and Resilience Project (SARP) has introduced the “One Dish Meal Program”, a key initiative focused on promoting healthy and balanced diets. Through this program, 30 nutritious meal plans are developed and demonstrated to women, aiming to educate families—especially mothers—on preparing nutrient-rich meals using commonly available ingredients such as rice, vegetables, eggs, meat, and traditional Sri Lankan spices. The program specifically targets pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, school-aged children, and newly married couples, providing them with hands-on training and guidance on meal preparation, along with insights into the nutritional value of each food item used.
