Food Security During Pandemic Times: Insights and Perspectives from Rural Bihar

Overview:

This study explored the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on various aspects of food security, including availability, access, utilization, and stability, in rural households of Bihar. It specifically focused on changes in consumption patterns, dietary diversity, food frequency, and the effectiveness of food-related public programs during the crisis.

Methodology: Primary data was collected through telephonic interviews with a sample of 944 rural households, encompassing 5,611 household members. The data collection took place from November to February 2021 and covered 12 villages across three distinct regions of Bihar: North Bihar, Central Bihar, and South Bihar, with two districts (four villages) from each region. The survey utilized baseline data from 2016-17, previously collected by the Institute for Human Development, for comparative analysis.

Key Findings:

1. Expenditure Reallocation:
   • Between 2016 and 2021, there was a significant shift in household expenditure from non-food items to food items.
2. Consumption Patterns:
   • There was a drastic reduction in the consumption of food items, excluding cereals, oils, and spices.
3. Dietary Diversity:
   • A decline in dietary diversity and food security was observed, as indicated by the dietary diversity score, food frequency score, and household food insecurity experience scale.
4. Education and Dietary Diversity:
   • The ordered probit model analysis showed that households with members having higher secondary education or above and salaried employment tend to have higher dietary diversity.
   • The bivariate probit model indicated that livestock ownership, higher secondary education or above, and salaried employment are significant factors in transitioning from food insecurity to food security.

Recommendations:

• Government Policy Intervention:
  • There is a pressing need for government policy to improve household dietary diversity and maintain basic nutrition during pandemic times.
  • Policies should be based on a thorough understanding of the needs of affected households in the targeted areas to ensure effective intervention.

Implications:

The study highlights the critical need for targeted policy measures to address food security challenges exacerbated by the pandemic in rural Bihar. Enhancing dietary diversity and ensuring the stability of food supplies are essential to mitigate the adverse effects of such crises on vulnerable populations.