Dietary Diversity Under Public Distribution System: An Evidence From Tamil Nadu, India

• Main Authors: Malaiarasan, Umanath, Paramasivam, R.
• Other Authors: YSI Asia Convening 2019
• Format: Conference or Workshop Item
• Language: English
• Published: H. : ĐHKT 2020
• Subjects: Food Security; Nutrient Intake; Dietary Diversity; Propensity Score Matching
• Online Access: http://repository.vnu.edu.vn/handle/VNU_123/70571
• Institution: Vietnam National University, Hanoi

Tamil Nadu is an innovative state in India for all kind of food security programs. It has implemented variety of programs from mid-day meal schemes to universal free rice for all people. The main aim of these programs are to reduce the state of food and nutritional insecurity among the households, irrespective of income status. Since only limited studies addressed this problem in India with mixed results and no study was there for Tamil Nadu, the present study addressed the impact of rice supply at subsidised price through Public Distribution System on the dietary diversity and subsequent nutritional gain in Tamil Nadu as food intake and composition directly affect the malnutrition problems of households. We used propensity score matching technique to estimate the real impact of the subsidy program on the food consumption pattern and nutrient intake with the help of survey data collected by National Sample Survey Organisation for the years 2004-05 and 2011-12. Estimated results revealed that price subsidy on rice significantly and positively affected the food consumption pattern and nutrient intake of all households in the state. However, degree of impact of price subsidy on food and nutrient consumption is subject to vary with respect to type of income categories. It is found that the distribution of gain due to price subsidy among poor people was narrow towards the staple food items of rice, millets, pulses and vegetable, whereas, for the middle income households, it was more diversified not only towards high value commodities such as fruits, processed food and livestock products but also higher gain of fat and calcium. Hence, extending the price subsidy for nutritional rich food items, other than rice, is expected help the poor people for diversifying their diet towards healthy and nutrient dense foods.