Assessment of food and nutrient intake of women beneficiaries of mgnrega scheme in Rajasthan

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to assess food and nutrient intake of 125 women beneficiaries employed since five years under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) scheme in Baran district of Rajasthan state of India. Dietary intake of respondents in comparison to the recommended dietary intake (RDI) was substantially inadequate in fruits, root and tubers, milk and milk products, other vegetables and pulses, marginally inadequate in cereals, fat and oils and sugar, and adequate in green leafy vegetables. Results regarding nutrient intake showed that per cent adequacy of energy was nearly half of RDA, whereas per cent adequacy of carbohydrates, calcium, zinc and beta carotene was more than half of the RDA and that of fats, protein and iron was nearly adequate to RDA. Prior to joining MGNREGA scheme, their dietary intake was poor but after joining this scheme they were able to purchase low cost qualitative food from daily wages, which was reflected in their nutrient intake.