Household food security and nutritional status of women agricultural labours

Abstract

A study on "Household Food security and Nutritional Status of Women Agricultural Labourers" was carried out in Ollukkara block panchayat of Thrissur district. The study was conducted among women agricultural labourers belonging to organized and unorganized sectors. The results of the study indicated that Hindus were the majority ill organized and unorganized sectors. Majority of the families were of nuclear type and family size ranged in between 4 to 6. Most of the male and female members in both the sectors were literate. Upto 15 cents of land was owned by majority of the respondents in the organized sector whereas in the unorganized sector majority had only upto 10 cents. Majority of the families in both the sectors did not have kitchen garden and domestic animals. Monthly income of the families in the organized sector varied from Rs.IOOO to Rs.6000, while in the unorganized sector majority had an income in between Rs.l 000 to Rs.4000. Maximum proportion of income was spent on food items. More families in the organized sector saved money than the unorganized sector. Majority of the families in both the sectors borrowed money from university, cooperative bank and private chitties. All the families in the unorganized sector and majority in the organized sector had their own houses with brick as the wall material and with tiled or concrete roof The houses were occupied with separate kitchen with 4 to 5 rooms. Drinking water, electricity, recreational and lavatory facilities were satisfactory whereas drainage facilities were found to be inadequate.

Majority of the respondents in the organized sector get work for 6 days in a week while in the unorganized sector majority get work for 3 - 5 days. Seasonal variation in the working days was noticed only among unorganized sector. Majority of the families in both the sectors were nonvegetarians and consumed rice as the staple food. Maximum percentage of the food expenditure was for cereals. The families in the organized sector purchased most of the food items in bulk on monthly basis while in the unorganized sector most of the families purchased food items either daily or weekly. The most frequently used food items were cereals, pulses, other vegetables, milk and milk products, fats and oils, sugar and spices and condiments in the organized sector while in the unorganized sector all the above food items except pulses and milk and milk products were found to be the most frequently food items. Advance meal planning was popular in both the sectors. Three meals a day pattern was common in both the sectors. The per capita food and nutrient intake indicated decreased intake of cereals, green leafy vegetables, fruits, milk and milk products and fats and oils. Majority of the households in the organized sector were food secure, whereas in the unorganized sector only 26.67 per cent were found to be food secure. Food insecurity was found to be more in the households with children in both the sectors. None of the families in the organized sector experienced food insecurity with hunger. The nutritional profile revealed that the body weight and height of the respondents in both the sectors were lower than the reference body weight and

height for an Indian reference woman. About 2l.66 per cent and 31.66 per cent in the organized and unorganized sectors respectively had different grades of CED. Clinical examination showed various symptoms of nutritional deficiencies among the respondents in both the sectors. Actual food and nutrient intake revealed deficient intake of cereals, pulses, green leafy vegetables, roots and tubers, fruits and fats and oils. The intake of all . nutrients was lower than the recommended levels. Factors influencing food security are food expenditure, monthly income, family size and family type.