Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Tuesday called for a transformative fight against malnutrition via CSr against malnutrition via CSR, stressing it as a collective national responsibility shared by government, corporates, communities and individuals.
Addressing the National Conclave on the Role of Corporate Social Responsibility in Nutrition Security and Malnutrition Mitigation, organised by the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) Foundation for Nutrition, Goyal said eliminating malnutrition is vital for realising Viksit Bharat by 2047 and ensuring long-term social and economic prosperity.
He viewed the mandatory 2 per cent CSR spending as a floor, not a ceiling, and framed malnutrition via CSR initiatives as strategic opportunities for businesses to create shared value.
Goyal praised NDDB programmes like Giftmilk and Shishu Sanjeevani, which deliver fortified milk and supplements to children in schools, anganwadis, aspirational districts and tribal areas via cooperative networks.
Highlighting inter-ministerial synergy under the Prime Minister’s whole-of-government approach, he noted collaboration among ministries of Commerce, Cooperation, Animal Husbandry, Panchayati Raj, and Women and Child Development.
NDDB serves as a key facilitator linking industry CSR with grassroots delivery, promoting affordable access to milk and fish as protein-rich foods.
Goyal emphasised early intervention during pregnancy and childhood to prevent stunting, while advocating saturation coverage to every household.
He positioned nutrition investments as building India’s future workforce and markets, benefiting corporates through healthier consumers and employees.
Calling for a people’s movement, Goyal encouraged exceeding CSR obligations and personal contributions to achieve a malnutrition-free India.
