Prof. Vijaya Khader: Pioneering Nutrition and Empowerment for Women and Children

“Here’s to strong women. May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them.” The quote that fuels Prof.(Mrs.)Vijaya Khader motivation for empowerment and focused on creating the impact of her research On Women Empowerment, Product Development, transfer of technology for livelihood security and prevention of malnutrition in different sectors of the population has benefited society at large.

Introduction:

Prof. (Mrs.) Vijaya Khader, major focus is to improve the nutritional status of vulnerable groups of the population, including pregnant women, lactating mothers, and preschool children.

She has been actively engaged in nutrition research and teaching for over thirty-five years. She received an M.Sc. from S.V. University, Tirupathi, with the Mary Clark Memorial Scholarship from Canada, followed by a Ph.D. and Postdoctoral Fellowship from CFTRI, Mysore as a CSIR Fellow. She started her career as an Assistant Professor at Sardar Patel University, Vallabh Vidyanagar, Gujarat in 1977, established the P.G. Department of Home Science, and joined Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University as an Associate Professor in 1981. She worked as the first Principal at the College of Home Science, Bapatla for four terms, and later at the College of Home Science, Hyderabad for one year.

Additionally, she served as the Director of the Center for Advanced Studies in the field of Foods and Nutrition, the only one of its kind in the country.

She initiated the Inter-faculty P.G. Program in Food Science and Technology and worked as the Program Director. Over her career, she has completed 23 independent research projects funded by national as well as international organizations, focusing on the socio-economic empowerment of rural, farm, fisher, and tribal women.

She is the only person in ANGRAU who patented two pieces of equipment namely a low-cost ice Cream Freezer (to make use of a small quantity of milk at the village level) And a Multi-Purpose Fresh Fish Vending And Display Table (To reduce the drudgery & Hygienic handling of Fish), licensed the Technology to a women entrepreneur twice.

Initiated a research program jointly with a multinational company and conducted clinical trials on School Children. Feeding Iron Fortified Chewing Gum, which is useful for improving the iron nutritional status of anemic women and children. Mrs. Laura Bush, the then First Lady of the USA had a round table conference with Mrs. Khader on food processing, income-generating activities, and gender issues. She emphasized Promotion of malt-based small-scale food industry provides Entrepreneurship, Employment, Food, and Nutrition security through income generation

She has authored four university-level textbooks, which continue to generate royalties. Furthermore, she has held positions as Dean of P.G. Studies (modified & revised several P.G. courses in Agriculture, Veterinary and Home Science). Director of Extension, and Dean of Student Affairs (provided a lot of facilities for students, conducted National Youth Parliament session for Universities, received the second prize).

Challenges and Achievements:

She have served in various capacities, including as a research advisory committee member at NAARM and as a consortium adviser for NAIP on Sustainable Rural Livelihoods through Enhanced Farming Systems. Additionally, she have been a member of the Indo-U.S. Agricultural Knowledge Initiative project, a high-level committee member for strengthening teaching, research, and extension activities at Rajendra Agricultural University in Bihar, and a peer review team member for the accreditation of Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology in Udaipur.

She have also been a member of the Quinquennial Review Team at the Central Institute of Post-Harvest Engineering & Technology in Ludhiana and a PRT member for the accreditation of Punjab Agricultural University in Ludhiana. Furthermore, she is an eminent fellow of the Scholars Academic and Scientific Society and a member of the Asian Fisheries Society.

She has chaired the Task Force Committee on Biotechnology-based Programs for Women and has been a member of the Technical Expert Group for the National Program on Climate Change and Human Health.

She is serving as a technical expert for the online review of Biotechnology Ignition Grant (BIG) proposals received from startups and entrepreneurs for early-stage funding through BIRAC. She participated in nine sessions of the Tutor Briefing Workshop on the ENACT professional course on nutrition education organized by FAO. Additionally, she served as a technical expert for the National Program on Climate Change and Human Health, aimed at strengthening certain climate-sensitive health areas such as nutrition and food security in the country.

Prof (Mrs.) Vijaya is a member of the Global Forum on Food Security & Nutrition (FSN Forum) and a fellow of the Society for Promotion of Oil Palm Research & Development (SOPOPRAD). She co-chairs the Agrofood Processing & Rural Development Committee and acts as an advisor for the ladies’ wing and women empowerment of The Federation of Telangana Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FTCCI). She has been a scientific advisor to the Harti Pradesh Agro Foundation.

Notably, based on her work on mushrooms, the Commissioner of Horticulture issued a government order on the unit cost for Oyster Mushroom cultivation (Rs. 70,000/-) by NABARD, implemented from August 1, 1994, benefits many individuals.

She has received numerous awards and nominations throughout her career. These include the State Best Teacher Award, an Appreciation Certificate from ICAR, and the Woman of the Year award. She is also a Fellow of the Association of Food Scientists and Technologists and an FAO Fellow. Additionally, she has been honored with the Outstanding Woman Professional Award (FICCI), the Eminent Women Scientist Award (WISE, India), the 3rd Dr. Rajammal P. Devdas Memorial Award, the Women Leadership in Science & Technology Award (Department of Science & Technology), and the Oration Lecture Award from the Home Science Association of India.

In 2021, she received the Woman of Excellence Award from the Indian Achievers Forum. She was also given the Lifetime Achievement Award by Sadhana Awards in 2024. Sri Venkaiah Naidu, the former Vice President of India, felicitated her on International Women’s Day on 7th March 2024. Additionally, she received the Women Achievers Award on International Women's Day 2024 on 23rd March from OWSD and the Government City College Hyderabad.

She has served as a member of the Board of Management of A.N.G.R.A.U., the highest body of the university. She was involved in developing a portal on Rice in Human Nutrition, and her work on fisherwomen has been posted on the global website of the Asian Fisheries Society. As the Principal Investigator for ICT-enabled higher education at the national level, focusing on the production of courseware and e-content for M.Sc. Food Technology, funded by the National Mission for Education & Ministry of Human Resource Development, Govt. of India (2012-2019).

She was an advisor for the Agriculture, Food Processing & Dairy Committee of The Federation of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FTAPCCI). Additionally, she was an Executive Board Member of Women in Science and Engineering, a member of INWES, a Canada-based international network, an E.C. member of the Indian Women Scientist Association (IWSA), and a full member of the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) since 2006.

Personal Insights:

She maintains a balance between her career and personal life through systematic planning and organized task management to achieve her goals according to a set schedule. 

Impact and Vision:

She has implemented significant changes in the Faculty of Home Science to elevate it to a professional program. This included revamping the undergraduate program into a four-year degree with specializations aimed at fostering entrepreneurship and providing hands-on experience. Students are placed in relevant industries or institutes, facilitating employment opportunities.

She introduced the Rural Home Science Work Experience Program to develop human resources in the rural sector, focusing on women's empowerment by addressing community problems and constraints. Additionally, she offered many short-term skill-oriented programs to school dropouts, NGOs, A.P. Tribal welfare schools, and self-help groups.

Currently, she is the:

• Member, Board of Governors, Farm and Rural Science Foundation (FRSF)
• Member, Third World Organization for Women in Science (TWOWS) / Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD)
• Steering Committee Member, Millets Network of India (MINI)
• Fellow, Association of Food Scientists and Technologists (AFSTI)
• Member, Indian Women Scientists' Association (IWSA)
• Member, Committee on World Food Security (CFS), High-Level Panel of Experts (HLPE), FAO
• Co-Chair, Food Processing & Rural Development, Federation of Telangana Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FTCCI)
• Advisor, Ladies Wing, and Women Empowerment, FTCCI
• Board of Trustees, Centre for Sustainable Agriculture (CSA)

She is passionately committed to addressing nutrition deficiency-related health problems affecting people in rural India with the help of Non-Governmental Organizations such as the Confederation of Kisan Organization, Farm and Rural Science Foundation, Deccan Development Society, and Center for Sustainable Agriculture. Her focus is to empower women through social engineering and training in farm and non-farm activities to increase household income. End hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture.

Conclusion:

She said “India should focus on healing our ‘One Earth’ Creating harmony within our ‘One Family’ and Giving hope for our ‘One Future’”. She aims to implement several strategies for nutritional improvement, including Nutrition & Health of Women, Feeding Smart Right from the Start for Health Security, Entrepreneurship Development programs, Nutri-Sensitive Agriculture, the National Poshan initiative with nutrient-fortified food, and Sustainable Development Goals towards Zero Hunger. Additionally, she will emphasize the role of agriculture, millet, and maize in addressing malnutrition.