2014年-世界发展银行全球_India___Food_Security_and_Nutrition_in_Tribal_Areas_136页_2mb

Summary of India: Food Security and Nutrition in Tribal Areas

Core Content

This report, titled India: Food Security and Nutrition in Tribal Areas (Report No: ACS9269), examines the challenges of food insecurity and undernutrition in tribal and backward areas of India, with a specific focus on Jharkhand and Odisha. It evaluates the potential of the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) to address these issues through community-based interventions and policy integration.

The report outlines the role of NRLM in improving livelihoods and social mobilization, particularly through the formation and support of self-help groups (SHGs). It highlights the unique challenges faced by tribal communities, including physical isolation, cultural and linguistic barriers, and the impact of left wing extremism (LWE) on development efforts. The study emphasizes the need to integrate food and nutrition security (FNS) into the broader goals of NRLM, leveraging its scale and capacity to improve outcomes in tribal areas.

Main Points

• Malnutrition in Tribal Areas: Tribal communities in India suffer from severe malnutrition, with poor nutrition outcomes compared to other groups and the national average.
• NRLM's Role: NRLM offers a unique opportunity to address tribal development challenges through social mobilization, building SHGs, and linking them to income generation and access to public services.
• Challenges in Tribal Areas:
  • Low Food Consumption and Dietary Diversity: Tribal populations have significantly lower food intake and less dietary diversity than non-tribal groups.
  • Seasonal Food Insecurity: A large proportion of tribal communities experience food insecurity, especially during certain seasons, leading to the use of coping strategies like borrowing food or selling assets.
  • Poor Maternal and Child Care Practices: There are significant gaps in maternal and child care practices, including low rates of breastfeeding within the first hour and poor utilization of health services.
  • Inadequate Health, Water, and Sanitation Services: Tribal areas face shortages in health infrastructure, availability of medical personnel, and access to clean water and sanitation.
• Pilot Interventions: Three pilot interventions were implemented in Jharkhand and Odisha by civil society partners to test community-based approaches to improving FNS outcomes:
  • MSSRF in Koraput, Odisha: Aimed at improving access to government entitlement schemes.
  • Jagruti in Daringbari, Odisha: Focused on reviving traditional agriculture.
  • CINI in Gumla, Jharkhand: Promoted hygiene through handwashing and clean water use.
• Data and Methodology:
  • Primary Data: Collected from 600 tribal households in Jharkhand, with a focus on dietary patterns, food expenditure, and health practices.
  • Secondary Data: Drawn from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-3) and National Sample Survey Organization (NSSO) data.
  • Pilot Evaluations: Conducted by external agencies to assess the effectiveness of community-led interventions.

Key Recommendations

• Integrate FNS into NRLM Framework: NRLM should incorporate food and nutrition security as a core component of its livelihood programs.
• Enhance Social Mobilization Strategies: Tailor mobilization processes to address cultural and linguistic barriers in tribal areas.
• Strengthen Health and Sanitation Services: Improve access to and utilization of health, water, and sanitation services in tribal regions.
• Promote Community-led Interventions: Leverage community-driven models such as SHGs to enhance local participation in development initiatives.
• Address Seasonal Food Insecurity: Develop mechanisms to support continuous food access, including grain banks and income-generating activities.

Key Policies and Programs

• National Food Security Act (NFSA): Provides a legal framework for food security.
• Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS): Focuses on child nutrition and health.
• Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA): Offers employment opportunities in rural areas.
• Public Distribution System (PDS): Distributes essential commodities to vulnerable groups.
• Forest Rights Act (FRA): Affects land rights and resource access in tribal areas.
• Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA): Empowers tribal communities through local governance.

Conclusion

The study concludes that while NRLM has the potential to significantly improve food and nutrition outcomes in tribal areas, it requires tailored strategies to overcome the unique challenges these communities face. By integrating FNS into existing livelihood programs and enhancing community participation, NRLM can play a pivotal role in addressing malnutrition and improving overall human development in tribal and backward areas of India.