Prevalence of Chronic Food Insecurity, Policies, and Redressal Patterns among the Indigenous community: A Case Study of Sahariya Tribe from India

Authors

  • Praveen Patel Research Scholar, Department of Anthropology, University of Delhi

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55016/ojs/jisd.v13i2.79249

Keywords:

Tribally-Driven Research, Food Security, Out-Migration, Policy Implementation

Abstract

Zero hunger and good health are two main goals for sustainable development, but when it comes to vulnerable sections of society, they struggle to meet basic needs. Sahariyas are a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) that faces numerous challenges in achieving food security and adequate nutrition. This study sought to comprehend the complexities of food and nutrition among the Sahariya Tribe. It also aimed to determine the coping mechanisms used by households to mitigate food insecurity. This study is the result of empirical data collected through fieldwork among 168 households in the Shivpuri district of Madhya Pradesh. Household surveys, interviews, participant observation, case studies, and focus group discussions were used as methods of data collection. The study revealed that Sahariyas are mainly landless laborers (80.95%), beggars and ragpickers (25%), and forest dwellers (61.31%). 69.12% of households migrated for food and money. Thus, Sahariyas are found to be food insecure; an immediate solution is needed for their survival.

 

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Akerele, D., Momoh, S., Aromolaran, A. B., Oguntona, C. R., & Shittu, A. M. (2013). Food insecurity and coping strategies in South-West Nigeria. Food Security, 5(3), 407–414. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12571-013-0264-x

Alwang, J., Siegel, P. B., & Jorgensen, S. L. (2001). Vulnerability: A view from different disciplines (Social Protection Discussion Paper No. 115). World Bank. https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/636921468765021121/pdf/multi0page.pdf

Angelsen, A., Jagger, P., Babigumira, R., Belcher, B., Hogarth, N. J., Bauch, S., & Wunder, S. (2014). Environmental income and rural livelihoods: A global-comparative analysis. World Development, 64, S12–S28. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2014.03.006

Barrett, C. B., & Lentz, E. C. (2009). Food insecurity. In R.A. Denemark & R. Marlin-Bennett (Eds.), The International Studies Encyclopedia (pp. 291-311). Wiley-Blackwell Publishing.

Blake, C. E., Frongillo, E. A., Warren, A. M., Constantinides, S. V., Rampalli, K. K., & Bhandari, S. (2021). Elaborating the science of food choice for rapidly changing food systems in low- and middle-income countries. Global Food Security, 28, 100503. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gfs.2021.100503

Comptroller and Auditor General of India. (2015). Audit on the preparedness for implementation of National Food Security Act, 2013 for the year ended March, 2015 (Report No. 54 of 2015). https://cag.gov.in/uploads/download_audit_report/2016/Union_Civil_National_Food_Security_Report_54_of_2015.pdf

Department of Food & Public Distribution. (n.d.). Public Distribution System (PDS). National Food Security Act. https://nfsa.gov.in/portal/PDS_page

Drèze, J., & Khera, R. (2015). Understanding leakages in the public distribution system. Economic and Political Weekly, 50(7), 39–42. https://www.jstor.org/stable/24481393

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations [FAO], International Fund for Agricultural Development, United Nations Children's Fund, World Food Programme, & World Health Organization. (2020). The state of food security and nutrition in the world 2020: Transforming food systems for affordable healthy diets. FAO. https://doi.org/10.4060/ca9692en

Government of Madhya Pradesh. (n.d.). Census - 2011 Shivpuri District. https://shivpuri.nic.in/en/document/census-2011-shivpuri-data/

National Nutrition Monitoring Bureau. (2017). Diet and nutritional status of tribal population and prevalence of hypertension among adults – Report on second repeat survey. National Institute of Nutrition, Indian Council of Medical Research. https://www.nin.res.in/downloads/NNMBTribalReport.pdf

Jones, A. D., Ngure, F. M., Pelto, G., &Young, S. L. (2013). What are we assessing when we measure household food security? A compendium and review of current metrics. Advances in Nutrition, 4(5), 481–505. https://doi.org/10.3945/an.113.004119

Khatri-Chhetri, A., & Maharjan, K. L. (2006). Food insecurity and coping strategies in rural areas of Nepal: A case study of Dailekh District in Mid-Western Development Region. Journal of International Development and Cooperation, 12(2), 25–45.

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, & Ministry of Tribal Affairs. (2018). Tribal health in India: Bridging the gap and roadmap for the future. National Health Mission. https://nhm.gov.in/nhm_components/tribal_report/Executive_Summary.pdf

Ministry of Tribal Affairs. (2019). Welfare of particularly vulnerable tribal groups. Government of India: Ministry of Tribal Affairs. https://pib.gov.in/Pressreleaseshare.aspx?PRID=1577166

Misselhorn, A. A. (2005). What drives food insecurity in southern Africa? A meta-analysis of household economy studies. Global Environmental Change, 15(1), 33–43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2004.11.003

National Sample Survey Office. (2007). Perceived adequacy of food consumption in Indian households 2004–2005 (NSS 61st Round, Report No. 512). Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation: Government of India. https://mospi.gov.in/sites/default/files/national_data_bank/pdf/NSS%2061st%20Round-512.pdf

Pinstrup-Andersen, P. (2009). Food security: Definition and measurement. Food Security, 1(1), 5–7. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12571-008-0002-y

Powell, B., Thilsted, S. H., Ickowitz, A., Termote, C., Sunderland, T., & Herforth, A. (2015). Improving diets with wild and cultivated biodiversity from across the landscape. Food Security, 7(3), 535–554. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12571-015-0466-5

Professional Assistance for Development Action. (2022). Status of Adivasi Livelihoods 2022: Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. PRADAN. https://www.pradan.net/sampark/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/SAL-report-2022.pdf

Radhakrishna, M. (2009). Starvation among Primitive Tribal Groups. Economic and Political Weekly, 44(6), 11–13. https://www.jstor.org/stable/40278961

Rao, K. M., Kumar, R. H., Venkaiah, K., & Brahmam, G. N. (2006). Nutritional status of Saharia—A primitive tribe of Rajasthan. Journal of Human Ecology, 19(2), 117–123. http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1874912700902010058

Sati, V. P. (2015). Sahariya tribe: Society, culture, economy and habitation. Annals of Natural Sciences, 1(1), 26–31.

Sen, A. (1982). Poverty and famines: An essay on entitlement and deprivation. Clarendon Press.

Stroebele, N., & De Castro, J. M. (2004). Effect of ambience on food intake and food choice. Nutrition, 20(9), 821-838. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nut.2004.05.012

Suri, S. (2021). Global nutrition report 2021 – India's nutrition profile and how to meet global nutrition targets. Observer Research Foundation. https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/global-nutrition-report-2021/

The Economist Impact. (2022). Global food security index 2022. https://impact.economist.com/sustainability/project/food-security-index/explore-countries/india

Vaitla, B., Devereux, S., & Swan, S. H. (2009). Seasonal hunger: A neglected problem with proven solutions. PLoS Medicine, 6(6), e1000101. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000101

Vikaspedia. (2023, July 27). Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups. Vikaspedia. https://socialwelfare.vikaspedia.in/viewcontent/social-welfare/scheduled-tribes-welfare/particularly-vulnerable-tribal-groups?lgn=en

World Bank. (1986). World development report 1986. Oxford University Press.

World Health Organization. (2024). Food safety. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/food-safety

Downloads

Published

2025-05-14

Issue

Section

Articles