Achievements of Rajasthan’s Cash Plus Model

Prelims: Current events of National and International Importance | Governance

Why in News?

The recently released report card on Rajasthan’s Cash Plus model indicated that it pushes up early breastfeeding rate, dietary diversity among new mothers.

• Rajasthan’s Cash Plus model - India’s first State-led pilot to converge Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT) with Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC).
• It indicates a
  • 49% rise in early breastfeeding (now reaching 90% of newborns),
  • 44% of women being more receptive to home-based counselling,
  • 49% improvement in dietary diversity among pregnant women, and
  • 54% more women using cash specifically for nutrition.
• Through the programme, pregnant and lactating women are offered home-based and group nutrition counselling on maternal and child health and nutrition.
• The programme also includes community and social engagements to drive local behaviour change, and the use of digital media to target younger audiences and male household members.
• Meanwhile, the initiative promotes healthy dietary practices, encourages institutional healthcare utilisation, and strengthens community support systems.
• As per the survey report, 80% of women reported improved affordability and access to nutritious food, attributing this to greater household awareness and counselling support.
• Challenges
  • Incomplete data collection (maternal deaths),
  • Disparities in care with the large part of this densely populated State being rural and
  • Tackling poverty and lack of education cover.

Reference

The Hindu | Rajasthan’s cash plus model