Issues and Options of Food Security and Poverty: An Empirical Study of Mizoram, the Eastern Extension of the Himalaya

Abstract

This paper examines issues and options of food security and poverty in Mizoram, northeast India. The area, we have studied suffers from acute food insecurity and chronic poverty as about 33% people live below poverty line and 17% people live under chronic poverty. Rice is the main food staple with limited availability. Agriculture dominates in economic practices as about 80% people depend on practicing agriculture to carry their livelihoods. Moreover, shifting cultivation characterises agriculture as about 50% people practice it. It is carried out in the fragile hilly slopes mainly in the forest areas with low yield. Although, forest products and livestock farming constitute agriculture in a greater scale yet, their contribution in food security is inadequate. We studied 16 villages from eight districts of Mizoram (two villages from each districts). A survey of 1527 households (76% of the total households) was conducted through random sampling methods and structured questionnaire on agriculture, occupation, income, food security and poverty was framed Further, participatory approach was adapted after rapid field visits of the studied villages. Correlation, regression and descriptive statistics were used to analyze data. We observed that poverty and malnutrition in the study area is high in comparison to the state and national level. The study suggests that livelihood options are required to be enhanced and diversified for poverty reduction and attainment of food security. At government level, public distribution system for proper food supply should be made regular and most responsible.