RAPID APPRAISAL ON NUTRITION HOUSEHOLD FOOD SECURITY AMONG TRIBALS OF APTDP

Abstract

Inadequate emphasis on culture, nutrition and sustainability which are important structural factors lead to complex consequences in the case of development projects, especially meant for tribals. In the case of tribal development projects which are to be implemented in areas with distinct ecological, production, cultural and demographic conditions, the risk of neglecting existing food security and production system is high and may jeopardies, the very objective of development. An attempt is made in this study to test the feasibility of evolving a monitoring mechanism by integrating Rural Rapid appraisal method (Robert Chamber) with traditional survey approach to provide key signals of change in household food security system. The study area is confined to watershed areas of APTDP in 3 districts namely Srikakulam, Visakhapatnam and East Godavari, since these three areas reflect the ethnic and cultural diversity of the project areas. For the purpose of the study household food security, surveillance mechanism is expected to focus on the aspects of availability, accessibility, acceptability (culturally), adaptability (nutritionally) and sustainability. The PRA method was carried out in 6 villages in East Godavari district spread over 3 watershed areas and 4 villages in 3 watershed areas of Srikakulam district. initial group discussions followed by selective key informant approach was followed in these villages. The study reveals that the nutrient deficiencies that arise due to non-consumption of green leafy vegetables, roots & tubers are compensated by cereals, pulses and vegetables in winter season. In summer season, major deficiency is observed in the intake of fruits. The intake of green leafy vegetables is surplus in rainy season. The average dietary intake of tribals in three major seasons of a year is presented in the report. interventions of new technologies perturb the house hold food systems though not in a catastrophic way. Tribals are optimizing their utility formulations by carefully allocating their available resources, which include their labour service, to suit the technological and regulatory interventions. Development has brought along with-it evils of arrack drinking and selective commercial outlook.