Why in News
  • Union Ministers Shri JP Nadda and Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the SEHAT Mission in New Delhi on 11 May 2026.
  • The mission is a joint initiative of:
    • ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research)
    • ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research)
  • It aims to integrate agriculture, nutrition, and public health under the vision:
    • “Healthy Food, Healthy Farms and a Healthy India”
SEHAT MISSION explained for UPSC

ABOUT SEHAT MISSION

Full Form
  • SEHAT stands for Science Excellence for Health through Agricultural Transformation.
Objective
  • To integrate agriculture and health systems for:
    • Nutrition improvement
    • Disease prevention
    • Evidence-based policymaking
  • To promote preventive healthcare through food systems.

KEY FEATURES

Agriculture–Health Integration
  • Establishes linkage between:
    • Farm production
    • Nutrition outcomes
    • Public health systems
Nutrition-Focused Agriculture
  • Promotes:
    • Bio-fortified crops
    • Nutri-rich traditional crops (millets: ragi, bajra, jowar)
  • Aims to reduce:
    • Hidden hunger
    • Micronutrient deficiencies

INTEGRATED FARMING SYSTEMS

  • Encourages diversification through:
    • Crop farming
    • Horticulture
    • Animal husbandry
    • Fisheries
    • Beekeeping
  • Aims to improve:
    • Nutrition security
    • Farmer income
Health Focus
  • Targets reduction of:
    • Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as:
      • Diabetes
      • Hypertension
    • Promotes food-based preventive healthcare
Farmer Health and Safety
  • Focuses on:
    • Reducing pesticide exposure risks
    • ? Promoting safe agricultural practices

SIGNIFICANCE

Public Health
  • Addresses:
    • Malnutrition
    • Lifestyle diseases
  • Promotes preventive healthcare through diet
Agriculture Sector
  • Encourages shift from:
    • Food security ? Nutrition security
  • Promotes scientific crop planning
Policy Integration
  • Strengthens coordination between:
    • Agriculture and health ministries
  • Promotes evidence-based policymaking