Seasonal Fluctuations in Food Insecurity and Related Coping Mechanisms in Rural Rajasthan

KARA KAMINSKISEPTEMBER 2012

SEVA MANDIR

Seasonal Fluctuations in Food Insecurity and Related Coping

Mechanisms in Rural Rajasthan

Purpose and Study Area

This study consists of 10 focus group discussions 5 different villages: Chali, Badgaon; Mahad, Kotra; Madla, Jhadol; Bicchiwada and Bawda Gudunia, Kherwala

Study is the qualitative analysis portion of a larger food security study being conducted in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh by PMS and NRD

Purpose is to serve as a general analysis of food security issues in these two states

Methods of Study and Analysis

Questionnaire Development Question formatted to achieve

six annual delineations for greatest specificity in ranking

Consumption delineations to determine seasonal changes in nutrition in addition to relative insecurity

Intra-household distribution based on similar survey conducted in Nigeria

Questions regarding major food sources outside of agriculture and market to determine all resources used in villages.

Study Analysis• Seasonal Mapping used to coordinate all data into one usable chart • Double translation used to ensure accuracy of data analyzed• USAID Household Dietary Diversity Score System adapted to fit study data

“We have pr ob lems w i th wate r and when the r e i s monsoon we re tur n back to our fie l ds , bu t genera l l y we

have water p r ob lems . ” - I n te r v i ewee f r om Mahad , Ko t r a

Relative Insecurity issues

Food Insecurity

Pattern I (80%)• Greatest insecurity level early monsoon• Largest planting season in beginning of monsoon and winter with harvest beginning winter and summer

Pattern II (20%)• Greatest insecurity level late summer

• Winter is consistently period of greatest security with the beginning being greater than end. This is the period with the greatest harvest of the year

Water Insecurity

Pattern I (60%)• Monsoon rains seen as greatest source of water• Often water is gotten mainly from a stream or from a whole dug in the ground specifically for collecting water• Reported only minor issues with water dirtiness

Pattern II (40%)• Monsoon is seen as relatively less water secure. • Villagers complained that it was difficult to have clean water during monsoon season because the floods would mix dirt and feces in with what would have been potable water

• Summer is consistently season of greatest water issues resulting from the strain on water sources including ground water, wells, and hand-pumps

Health Insecurity

Pattern I (50%)• Mosquitoes and related diseases reported as being the worst problem in the villages

Pattern II (40%)• Cold and lack of appropriate clothing reported as being the worst problem

“We sleep under the stars and we don’t have rooms. Our houses are not covered properly. We don’t have warm blankets.” - Interviewee from Bicchiwada

• Summer seen as time of greatest health security by 90% of groups interviewed.

Seasonal Income Distribution

• Income is considered greatest in the winter season by all groups and greater in the beginning of the season versus the end.• In both patterns, income reaches a low point between summer and monsoon season – this is a period of marriage and when school fees are due

“The r a t i o ns a r e no t enough f o r the who le f ami l y. I t l a s t s f o r a ver y shor t t i me . . . . The ra t i ons we ge t f r om the gover nment a re no t suff ic i en t f o r us so

how can we se l l i t ? I f i t i s n o t enough how can we have ex t r a” – I n te r v i ewee f rom Mahad , Ko t ra

Alternative Food Resources

PDS

90% of villages reported using government rations through PDS the entire year.

All but one of these villages stated that the rations were not enough

Expressed concern that rations were not dependant on family number so smaller families had an unfair advantage

“No, there is no difference in the quantity of wheat. If in our family we have 100, 20, 15, 10, or 5 it doesn’t make a difference. We get 20 kilo of wheat and those that have BPL they get 30 kilo.” – Interviewee from Madla, Jhadol

NTFP

Only wood is harvested from the forest. One group mentioned also collecting grass for cattle.

NTFP Pattern I: 50% harvest wood during the winter and summer season and stored for the monsoon season

NTFP Pattern II: 20% harvest wood only during winter to allow forests to grow for a year so there is more word next winter

NTFP Pattern III: 20% can no longer harvest wood from the forests and are now experiencing a strain of funds do to this change. They have adapted by using manure as an alternative fuel source

“The forested has been distributed now but before it was not distributed. We are not allowed now…Now the forest is distributed and it has been dominated by the powerful people in the village. Now the village people are not allowed to take wood from that part of the forest. It has been going on since three to four years, before then anyone could take wood from any place.” – Interviewee from Madla, Jhadol

NREGA

Dates from NREGA range from nothing in the past year to 60-70 days – never the promised 100 days

Bawda Gudunia stated they have been requesting work from the local panchayat but have not been offered any. They have also not been paid for 24 days from the previous year.

“For the work I have done last year, I haven’t gotten my money yet…We didn’t get the money because the panchayat is saying that they haven’t got the money so they can’t give us the money.” – Interviewee from Bawda Gubunia, Kherwala

Food For Children and Pregnant Women

Seva Mandir schools were listed as a significant food resource for children offering both breakfast and lunch year round.

Government schools were mentioned as significant food source for older children with the same offering.

One group from Mahad, Kotra stated Seva Mandir school was too far away and their government school did not offer food.

Only Bawda Gudunia had access to food for pregnant women Women consistently share their food with the entire family

Migration

50% of groups stay in the village during the first two months of a season and migrate the second two months First two months are spent planting or

harvest, second half of season crops grow

Second half of summer season has greatest water insecurity and causes migration

30% of groups consider the monsoon season the most profitable time of year and thus put all of their resources into making the season productive More sporadic migration during

summer and winter seasons when needed

“We have problems with water and when there is monsoon we return back to our fields, but generally we have water problems.” – Interviewee from Mahad, Kotra

Entire family migrates only if there is great need for funds

Usually the case in Mahad, Kotra

Children work after age 10-12 Departing migrators return approx.

every 15 days to bring funds to family at home

“Yes we l ease the l and an d wo rk on someon e ’ s e l se l and and then when the c r ops ar e

cu l t i va ted then we ge t the money and then g i ve them money [ t o th e per son they l oaned

money f ro m]” – In te rv i ewee f ro m Mad la , Ko t ra

Emergency Food Security Strategies and Pathways

Loans Lease

Interest rates range from 3% to 20% per month Best interest rates come from

relatives Worst interest rates come from seth

Once a loan has been made, a family member immediately leaves for migration

Average time to pay off loan is 2 to 3 months

Mahad is only village that takes up to two years to pay off Village has 10% interest ->240%

interest on their loan

Method 1: Lease land to lender Lease small portion of land to

lender Crops from land leased is used

as interestMethod 2: Lease someone

else's land Work on someone else's land

for a season Either take half of crops grown

as payment or be directly paid for labor

Loan and Lease Specifics

“We wi l l eat what we want to eat” – Interv iewee f rom Mahad, Kotra

Nutrition Perception

Nutrition Perception

When asked what food is most nutritious; ghee, sugar, meat, green vegetables, and milk were mentioned While some of these are nutritious the main theme seems to be

cost indicating nutrition valueTheme of purchasing based on cost -> taste ->

nutrition When asked if nutrition is ever a factor most said they never get

past costWhen asked who they would trust to change their

nutrition habits: Most said they can’t afford to change even if they trusted They would not trust anyone outside their family but would

make a change if there was a movement within the village

“ I f my f am i l y ea t s fi rs t wh at w i l l I ea t ?” - I n te r v i ewee i n B i cch i wada , Kh er wa l a

Intra-Household Food Distribution

Average Day During Food Shortage

90% interviewed say best portion goes to men, then women, then children Justification for men

getting the largest portion was that they do the hardest work

90% state that men are served first, then children, then women

90% of groups stated that when there is a shortage : Children eat until they are content

then the man eats or they both share first

Woman sacrifices and goes without food 3-4 days a year

When pregnant 80% of groups reported the man sacrificing instead of the woman

20% of groups (both Bawda Gubunia interviews) mentioned the women still sacrificing when pregnant, just less

Intra-Household Food Distribution

“Yes we ea t eggs when someone has b roken hands o r l egs . ” – In te rv i ewee f ro m Cha l i

Consumption Changes by Season

Vegetable and Lentil ConsumptionSeasonal vegetable consumption does not change across the board

• While consumption level does not change, the type of vegetables do

• Vegetables such as fuhardiya and dhibmra have little to no nutritional value and have previously been considered only for animals

Lentil consumption changes little throughout the seasons

• Lentils were reported as being fairly easy to grow for those that grew it for consumption

summer monsoon winter0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

120%

Seasonal Vegetable Consumption

nonebi-monthly or lessweekly2-3 times per weekdaily


20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

120%

Seasonal Lentil Consumption


Fish and Fruit ConsumptionFish consumption is highly dependant on season

• No fish are available during the summer when rivers/streams run dry

• Monsoon season has the highest increase of fish with greatest consumption for those living close to streams

Fruit consumption is fairly dependant on season

• Summer has greatest fruit consumption dependant mostly on mango trees within the village

• Little to no fruit is purchased in the market


20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

120%

Seasonal Fish Consumption



20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

120%

Seasonal Fruit Consumption


Egg and Meat ConsumptionEgg consumption is only during the winter

• Mentioned mostly for use during times of illness or for those that own a chicken

Meat consumption is mostly during winter season

• Meat is consumed during the winter in response to cold – not eaten in summer because of heat

• Most consumption is based on festivals and holidays


20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

120%

Seasonal Egg Consumption



20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

120%

Seasonal Meat Consumption


Cereal and Milk ConsumptionCereals are eaten daily by every village throughout all seasons

Milk consumption does not change during seasons.

• Consumption is mostly from chaach which is a large part of 50% of the villages diet.


20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

120%

Seasonal Milk Product Con-sumption


USAID Dietary Diversity Score

HDDS (Household Dietary Diversity Score) is found from a system created by USAID to determine the relative dietary diversity in an area and calculate what the “goal” level of dietary diversity should be

Each food group is given one “point” and the overall score/number of food groups is added The score is meant to only calculate diversity and does not

consider quantity of foodThis score is compared relative to other scores within

the studyThe upper tercile (top 1/3rd) score is calculated and

considered the wealthiest group and “goal” the given area should work to achieve

USAID System System Adaption

24-hour recall of 12 food categories (including fats, sugars, and “other”)

Each food eaten is given 1 “point”

Top tercile (top 1/3rd) of total points is considered goal for area and average score of wealthy individuals

Weekly recall averaged to daily diversity score

9 food categories used (removing fats, sugars, and “other”)

Seasonal recall allows for broader calculations, though less accurate

USAID Dietary Diversity Adaption

USAID Dietary Diversity Analysis

Top Tercile

Middle Tercile

Bottom Tercile

Top Tercile

Middle Tercile

Bottom Tercile

Top Tercile

Middle Tercile

Bottom Tercile

0.000.501.001.502.002.503.003.504.00

Seasonal HDDS Average

Summer Monsoon Winter

HD

DS

• Upper tercile score was 2.93 points during summer, 3.43 during monsoon, and 3.33 during winter•Middle tercile score was 2.34 points during summer, 2.47 during monsoon and summer•Lower tercile score was 1.31 points during summer, 1.36 during monsoon, and 1.45 during winter

• While previous data shows that there is significant seasonal difference with regard to food quantity, dietary diversity remains consistent•Cause is fruit, fish, and meat/eggs being restricted to one season• Diet changes but relative diversity

is consistent

Overall Seasonal Variations

Summer

Period of greatest water insecurity during the entire year – specifically end of season Water must be rationed, extremely restricted crop growth,

no access to fish as a food source Period of greatest health security

End of summer is “healthiest” time of year End of summer is migration period for 90% of groups

interviewed Linked to lack of proper water access in villages

50% of those interviewed use this time of the year to harvest wood in preparation for monsoon

Dietary diversity is dependant on addition of fruit PDS and food in schools constant

Monsoon

Period of greatest food insecurity for 70% interviewed – specifically end of monsoon is the worst

Depending on availability of clean water, considered most or middle level water security Water security increases over season for all

50% of those interviewed claim season worst for health security Illness caused by mosquito born diseases and unclean water

NREGA not usually used during this season Migration rarely occurs during the beginning of season

Greatest planting time of year Dietary diversity is derived from addition of fish to diet PDS and food in schools constant

Winter

Considered most food secure time of year by 100% of those interviewed Directly linked to year’s biggest harvest at the beginning of the

season Water security ranked highest by 60% of those interviewed

All groups agree that security is greatest in beginning of season 40% of groups claim greatest health issues

Issues due to lack of warm clothing – children specifically mentioned as having issues

End of winter is a migration period for 100% of those interviewed Likely post harvest

Time period for gathering wood from forests for 100% of those that have access to the resource

Dietary diversity is derived from the addition of meat and eggs to diet PDS and food in schools constant

Documents

Seasonal Fluctuations in Food Insecurity and Related Coping Mechanisms in Rural Rajasthan