Food Security

This chapter investigates several aspects of food security in Odisha through an analysis of empirical data from the Odisha Migration Survey (OMS) 2023. It draws on household-level food consumption patterns and dietary practices to identify the prevalence and magnitude of different dimensions of food insecurity. While over 90% of households surveyed under OMS reported that grains were a stable food source for them, food groups such as meat, seafood, and fruits were rarely included in the diets of more than two-thirds of households, indicating significant barriers to access. The limited accessibility to essential food items has implications for the nutritional status of these households, potentially leading to deficiencies in vital nutrients. This analysis also focuses on survey results related to qualitative dimensions of food access, including perceptions surrounding food consumption and security. It is evident from the data that vulnerable households experience more severe food insecurity and a lack of dietary diversity, subject to socio-economic characteristics such as caste, tribe, and wealth status. These vulnerable groups, including Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe households, those residing in lower-quality housing, households in the southern region of Odisha, non-migrant households, those in the lowest wealth quartile, and landless and marginal landholders, are disproportionately affected by food and nutritional insecurity. The chapter concludes that the prevalence of food and nutritional insecurity among the vulnerable population underscores the pressing need for government intervention to address accessibility and affordability. By grounding the analysis in empirical evidence, it seeks to inform policy discussions and foster a more comprehensive understanding of the challenges posed by food insecurity in Odisha.