Changing cropping patterns and it's implications on household food security and nutrition

Student name: Ms Sunayana Sajith
Guide: Ms Fawzia Tarannum
Year of completion: 2017
Host Organisation: Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), Bengaluru
Supervisor (Host Organisation): Dr Shrinivas Badiger

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Abstract:

Agriculture plays a pivotal role in Tamil Nadu. More than 40% of the population of Tamil Nadu is dependent on agriculture for their livelihood. Although the state reports one of the highest agricultural productivity rates, this performance is not consistent, fluctuating growth rate has been characteristic to Tamil Nadu, as the frequency of droughts have increased over the years. Two consecutive years, 2014-15 and 2015-16 have seen rainfall deficit, which enhanced the drought conditions. Agriculture in the state is dependent on groundwater or rain and increasing drought conditions make farmers’ livelihood a challenge.

Lower Bhavani has had a 60% deficit in rainfall l in the previous year. My study focuses on the drivers of this shifting systems and the implications on rural HH nutrition. My study focuses on Chinnakallipatti Panchayat in Coimbatore District, which cultivates Tobacco, Banana, Groundnut and Marigold, which is a recent trend. This change has been driven by multiple endogenous and exogenous factors. Dietary patterns in this region have shifted due to various developmental policies such as White Revolution and Targeted Public Distribution System. Using qualitative and quantitative methods including HH surveys I explore the linkages between these changing cropping pattern and nutrition.

My study indicates that there has been a significant change in dietary composition; primary cereals have shifted from millets to rice and dairy products have been included in the diet. Cropping pattern has a weighted influence on HH nutritional status. Farmers have shifted from subsistence farming to high value commercial farming in the hope for a ‘bumper crop’, which is a solution to all their problems. Given India’s focus on nutrition security it has become imperative to understand the impacts of the agricultural transition on HH diets. My study provides empirical evidence to suggest nutrition is being compromised as a result of commercial farming.

Key words: Cropping pattern, Nutrition, Agrarian transition, Food security, Livelihood