Food and Nutrition Security Among Tribals in Jharkhand

Aims and Objectives: The study aimed to understand the nature of food security and the underlying causes of malnutrition among Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities, particularly focusing on mothers and children in Jharkhand. It sought to analyze household food consumption patterns, budgetary allocation for food, and the gaps in nutrition between tribal and non-tribal households. Additionally, the study examined the effectiveness of government programs in ensuring food security and proposed policy measures to alleviate food insecurity among tribal households.

Methodology: The study was based on both primary and secondary data. Primary data was collected through a sample survey of 1,562 households across 48 villages in 24 blocks of 6 districts in rural Jharkhand during December 2020 – April 2021. A stratified multi-stage sampling design was employed, along with qualitative methods such as focus group discussions (FGDs) and in-depth interviews. Secondary data was sourced from nationwide household survey datasets.

Findings:

• Socio-Economic Condition: Tribal households in the surveyed districts exhibited multidimensional deprivation, with low levels of education, economic activity, and access to basic amenities like LPG, safe drinking water, and sanitation facilities.
• Food Consumption and Budget: Tribal households allocated a higher proportion of their income to food, primarily staples, leading to a nutritional disadvantage.
• Dietary Diversity: About one-third of tribal households had low dietary diversity, consuming only 4 out of 12 food groups. Additionally, 32.5% had a low food frequency, consuming most food items only one to two days a week.
• Food Security and Assets: Households with better assets, land, and higher living standards experienced better food security.
• Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) Practices: Feeding practices among children aged 6 to 23 months were poor, with low levels of minimum dietary diversity (MDD), minimum meal frequency (MMF), and minimum acceptable diet (MAD) among ST children.
• Cultural Beliefs: Cultural norms significantly influenced dietary practices, especially for women during pregnancy.
• Coping Mechanisms: Common coping strategies during food shortages included relying on less expensive food, reducing meal quantities, and purchasing food on credit.
• Government Programs: The Public Distribution System (PDS) and the National Food Security Act (NFSA) played a crucial role in maintaining household food security, especially during natural calamities or pandemics.

Policy Recommendations:

• WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene): Ensure access to safe drinking water and sanitation facilities in tribal areas, with enhanced monitoring of the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) to improve sanitation coverage.
• Employment Opportunities: Increase employment within tribal villages and extend the availability of jobs under MGNREGA to reduce vulnerability and exploitation.
• Multidimensional Deprivation: Implement multi-sectoral convergent interventions to tackle food insecurity and malnutrition, addressing the root causes of poverty and deprivation.
• PDS Enhancements: Include pulses and oil in the PDS basket for poor households to improve nutrition security.
• Sensitization of Frontline Workers: Train Anganwadi and ASHA workers to raise awareness about breastfeeding practices and complementary feeding.
• Kitchen Gardens: Promote kitchen gardens at the household level to improve dietary diversity.
• Crèches/ AWC cum Crèche: Establish crèches at workplaces and in communities (AWC cum crèche) to support working mothers and ensure proper child feeding.