Meghalaya Food Security

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Meghalaya Food Security

Tucked away in the hills of eastern sub-Himalayas is Meghalaya, one of the most beautiful State in the country. Nature has blessed her with abundant rainfall, sun-shine, virgin forests, high plateaus, tumbling waterfalls, crystal clear rivers, meandering streamlets etc.

Emergence of Meghalaya as an Autonomous State on 2nd April 1970 and as a full-fledged State on 21st January 1972 marked the beginning of a new era of the geo-political history of North Eastern India.

The State of Meghalaya is situated on the north east of India. It extends for about 300 kilometres in length and about 100 kilometres in breadth. It is bounded on the north by Goalpara, Kamrup and Nowgong districts, on the east by KarbiAnglong and North Cachar Hills districts, all of Assam, and on the south and west by Bangladesh.

Meghalaya is subject to vagaries of the monsoon.The Average annual rainfall is about 2600 mm over western Meghalaya, between 2500 to 3000 mm over northern Meghalaya and about 4000 mm over south-eastern Meghalaya. There is a great variation of rainfall over central and southern Meghalaya.

Meghalaya is basically an Agricultural State with about 80% of its total Population depending entirely on agriculture for their livelihood.Rainfall varies from place to place and from altitude to altitude. The amount of rainfall over Cherrapunjee and Mawsynram is quite heavy. During the last two decades, it has ranged from 11,995 mm to 14,189 mm in Cherrapunjee and over Mawsynram it was 10,689 mm to 13,802 mm.

The total cropped area in the State has increased by about 42 per cent during the last twenty-five years. Food grain production sector covers an area of over 60 per cent of the total crop area. Besides the major Food Crops of Rice and Maize, the State is also renowned for its Horticultural crops like Orange, Lemon, Pineapple, Guava, Litchi, Banana, Jack Fruits and Temperate fruits such as Plum, Pear, Peach etc.Potato, Ginger, Turmeric, Black Pepper, Areca nut, Tezpatta, Betelvine, Short-staple Cotton, Jute, Mesta, Mustard and Rapseed etc. are some of the important Cash Crops in the State.

Meghalaya has ranked among the known BIMARU states in the Malnutrition index for 2016. According to a report titled ‘Bridging the gap: Tapping the agriculture potential for optimum Nutrition’ prepared jointly by ASSOCHAM and EY, seven Indian states which rank high on the malnutrition index are Uttar Pradesh (50.4 per cent) followed by Bihar (49.4 per cent), Jharkhand (47.4 per cent), Chhattisgarh (43 per cent), Meghalaya (42.9 per cent), Gujarat (41.6 per cent) and Madhya Pradesh (41.5 per cent). Even among the northeastern states, Meghalaya stood high as far as child undernourishment is concerned. According to National Family Health Survey-4 (2015-16), as much as 43.8% of children in Meghalaya have stunted Growth, which is also related to the maternal-undernutrition, and 29% are underweight. Low nutritional outcomes can in turn lead to slower development and susceptibility to illness, the effects of which can hamper them throughout their lives, hindering and limiting their potential for growth. While at a glance the situation seems dismal at best, there are glimmers of hope in the offing.

Consistent indications of food shortage or mismanagement of food Services emerge especially in Songsak Block, East Garo Hills.

To overcome these difficulties in the state; the State Government has taken various steps and launched various schemes and programmes like:-

National Food Security Act:- The state government launched the Food Security Act (FSA) across the State in 2015 under National Food Security Act, 2013. Under the programme, 77.79 per cent rural population and 50.87 per cent urban population will be covered based on the 2011 socio-economic census. under the programme, focus will be given to pregnant mothers and infants from 0-6 years for supplementing their nutritional requirement as per the mandate of the Act.Under NFSA, 2013, a total of 4.22 lakh has been identified as priority households in the State of Meghalaya and 72, 460 household in West Garo Hills district out of which 29,476 is in Tura Sardar Division and 41,984 in Dadenggre Civil Sub-Division.

According to the Act, every person belonging to priority households is entitled to receive 5 kg of food grains per person per month at subsidized prices not exceeding Rs. 3.00 per kg for rice, Rs. 2.00 per kg for wheat and coarse Cereals for Rs. 1 per kg.

Integrated Child Development Services:-

It is centrally sponsored scheme and was launched in 1975. ICDS is a unique early childhood development programme aimed at addressing the health, nutrition and development needs of young children, pregnant and nursing mothers. In Meghalaya the first project was launched on an experimental basis at SongsakC&RD Block, East Garo Hills District in the same year. Since then, the Department has come a long way in expanding the ICDS projects to the 39 Community and Rural Development Blocks and 2 Urban ICDS Projects at Shillong and Tura through a Network of 5896 Anganwadi Centre.

The scheme has been re-launched in Mission Mode during 2012 as the restructured and strengthened ICDS programme with the vision to ensure holistic physical, psychosocial, cognitive and emotional development of young children under 6 years of age in a nurturing, protective, child friendly and gender sensitive family and community.

The components and core package of services under ICDS are: –

Early Childhood Care, Education & Development (ECCED)
Care & Nutrition Counselling
Health Services
Community Mobilization, Awareness, Advocacy and IEC

The Supplementary Nutrition Programme under ICDS has two components:

Morning snacks & hot cooked meals served daily at the AWC to all children between 3-6 years attending Preschool at AWC for 25 days in a month.
Take Home Ration in the form of RTE Energy Dense Food is given for children 6 months to 3 years and pregnant/lactating mothers.

SCHEMES UNDER ICDS:-

Table of Contents

A. Kishori Shakti Yojana – KSY (Adolescent Girls Scheme):-It aims at improving the nutritional health status of the adolescent girls by promoting awareness of health, hygiene, nutritional and family care. The activities also link with Learning life skill and steps to become productive member. Under the scheme, unmarried BPL and school drop outs adolescent Girls in the age group 11-18 years are selected and attached to the local Anganwadi Centres for monthly sitting of learning and training activities.This scheme is fully state funded scheme.

Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment of Adolescent Girls (RGSEAG)-SABLA:- The objective of the scheme is to:

Enable self-development and empowerment of Adolescent Girls
Improve their Nutrition and Health Status
Spread awareness among them about Health, Hygiene, Nutrition, Adolescent

Reproductive and Sexual Health (ARSH) and Family and Childcare

Upgrade their Home-based Skills, Life Skills and Vocational Skills
Mainstream out of School Adolescent Girls into Formal/ Non Formal-Education and
Inform and guide them about existing public services, such as PHC, CHC, Post

Office, Bank, Police Station etc.

C. Indira Gandhi MatritavaSehyogYojana (IGMSY) – Conditional Maternity Benefit (CMB) Scheme:-It is a centrally sponsored scheme implemented in the State as a pilot project in 1 (one) District i.e. in East Garo Hills, Williamnagar with 100% financial assistance from the Govt. ofIndia. Under this scheme, pregnant and nursing mothers are provided maternity benefits. During 2013-14, the Govt. of India, to bring the amount of maternity benefit at par with the provisions of National Food Security Act, 2013, enhanced the rate from Rs.4000/- to Rs.6000.

Further, the Govt. of India introduced the financial sharing pattern during 2015-16 i.e. 90:10.

3. SampoornaGrameenRozgarYojana (SGRY):-

The primary objective of the Scheme is to provide additional wage EMPLOYMENT in all rural areas and thereby provide food security and improve nutritional levels. The secondary objective is the creation of a durable community, social and economic assets and infrastructural development in rural areas.

But even after decades of government efforts have not yielded the desired result in terms of social security indicators and nutrition status in the state. The government can take the following steps to further improve these indicators.

Way forward:-

A community headman in ShillongUrban, also recommended a change in the food items to include more bengal gram, kidney beans, eggs and other high nutrition components. These should be considered by the government.
There were concerns too about instances of low and irregular supplies.
A lady supervisor from East Garo Hills, a functionary of the Department of Social Welfare, lamented the lack of locally grown, organically produced fruit and vegetables on the menu, something that would get children used to eating high-quality produce.
Provide a reliable Source Of Income to local cultivators to boottheir income.
Not just the nutrition component but the ICDS scheme itself, with its focus on universalisation and strengthening of its programmes through community involvement, geared towards the welfare of vulnerable sections of the population, can benefit from new localised solutions.
At the same time, it must be remembered that ICDS is not just about getting a free meal – it’s about ensuring a more holistic development, be that nutritional, educational or in terms of medical help, for the generations to come.

Meghalaya is a state in northeastern India with a population of over 3 million people. The state is predominantly rural, with over 80% of the population living in villages. Agriculture is the main source of livelihood for the majority of the population, and food security is a major concern.

The state has a number of challenges to food security, including:

Low agricultural productivity: The state’s agricultural productivity is low compared to other states in India. This is due to a number of factors, including poor Soil quality, lack of Irrigation, and limited access to credit and technology.
High POVERTY rates: The state has high poverty rates, with over 30% of the population living below the Poverty Line. This makes it difficult for people to afford food, especially during times of drought or other shocks.
Lack of Food Processing facilities: The state has a limited number of food processing facilities. This means that much of the state’s produce is exported in raw form, which reduces the value added to the state’s economy and also means that people in the state do not have access to affordable processed foods.
Poor nutrition: The state has high rates of malnutrition, especially among children. This is due to a number of factors, including poor dietary diversity, lack of access to clean water and sanitation, and high rates of infectious diseases.

The state government has taken a number of measures to address these challenges, including:

Investing in agriculture: The state government has invested in agricultural research and development, irrigation, and extension services. This has helped to increase agricultural productivity.
Promoting food processing: The state government has promoted the development of food processing industries. This has helped to add value to the state’s produce and also created jobs.
Investing in nutrition: The state government has invested in nutrition programs, such as the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) program. This program provides food, nutrition education, and health care to children under the age of six.

The state government’s efforts have helped to improve food security in the state. However, there are still a number of challenges that need to be addressed. These include:

Continuing to invest in agriculture: The state government needs to continue to invest in agriculture to increase productivity and reduce poverty.
Promoting food processing: The state government needs to continue to promote the development of food processing industries to add value to the state’s produce and create jobs.
Investing in nutrition: The state government needs to continue to invest in nutrition programs to improve the nutritional status of the population.

The state government’s efforts to improve food security are essential for the development of the state. Food security is a key determinant of Human Development, and it is also essential for economic growth. By addressing the challenges of food security, the state government can help to improve the lives of the people of Meghalaya.

In addition to the government’s efforts, there are a number of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working on food security in Meghalaya. These NGOs are working on a range of issues, including:

Increasing agricultural productivity: NGOs are working to increase agricultural productivity by providing farmers with access to improved seeds, Fertilizers, and irrigation.
Promoting food processing: NGOs are working to promote the development of food processing industries by providing training and financial assistance to entrepreneurs.
Investing in nutrition: NGOs are working to improve the nutritional status of the population by providing food supplements, nutrition education, and health care.

The work of NGOs is complementary to the government’s efforts. By working together, the government and NGOs can make a significant impact on food security in Meghalaya.

What is food security?

Food security is a condition in which all people, at all times, have physical, social, and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.

What are the four pillars of food security?

The four pillars of food security are availability, access, utilization, and stability.

Availability: This refers to the production, distribution, and trade of food.
Access: This refers to the ability of people to obtain food, either through purchase or through other means.
Utilization: This refers to the ability of people to use food for their nutritional needs.
Stability: This refers to the ability of the food system to withstand shocks and stresses.

What are the main challenges to food security?

The main challenges to food security are Climate change, conflict, economic instability, and Population Growth.

Climate Change: Climate change is causing changes in weather patterns, which can lead to droughts, floods, and other extreme weather events. These events can disrupt food production and distribution, leading to food insecurity.
Conflict: Conflict can disrupt food production, distribution, and trade. It can also lead to displacement, which can make it difficult for people to access food.
Economic instability: Economic instability can lead to poverty, which can make it difficult for people to afford food. It can also lead to Unemployment, which can make it difficult for people to access food.
Population growth: Population growth is putting a strain on the world’s food supply. It is also leading to deforestation, which is reducing the amount of land available for food production.

What are some of the solutions to food insecurity?

Some of the solutions to food insecurity include:

Investing in agriculture: Investing in agriculture can help to increase food production. It can also help to improve the livelihoods of farmers and rural communities.
Improving access to food: Improving access to food can help to ensure that everyone has enough to eat. This can be done through a variety of means, such as food assistance programs, school feeding programs, and nutrition education programs.
Reducing poverty: Reducing poverty can help to improve people’s ability to afford food. This can be done through a variety of means, such as Economic Development programs, social safety net programs, and employment creation programs.
Addressing climate change: Addressing climate change can help to reduce the risk of food insecurity. This can be done through a variety of means, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, investing in adaptation measures, and supporting Sustainable Agriculture practices.
Promoting peace and stability: Promoting peace and stability can help to reduce the risk of food insecurity. This can be done through a variety of means, such as conflict resolution, peacebuilding, and post-conflict reconstruction.
Managing population growth: Managing population growth can help to reduce the strain on the world’s food supply. This can be done through a variety of means, such as family planning, education, and economic development.

Which of the following is not a major food crop in Meghalaya?
(A) Rice
(B) Maize
(C) Wheat
(D) Millet
Which of the following is the main source of irrigation in Meghalaya?
(A) Canals
(B) Wells
(C) Tanks
(D) Rainwater
Which of the following is the main Livestock reared in Meghalaya?
(A) Cows
(B) Buffaloes
(C) Pigs
(D) Goats
Which of the following is the main forest product in Meghalaya?
(A) Timber
(B) Bamboo
(C) Teak
(D) Rubber
Which of the following is the main mineral resource in Meghalaya?
(A) Coal
(B) Limestone
(C) Iron Ore
(D) Copper
Which of the following is the main industrial product in Meghalaya?
(A) Cement
(B) Steel
(C) Paper
(D) Jute
Which of the following is the main tourist attraction in Meghalaya?
(A) Mawlynnong
(B) Cherrapunji
(C) Nohkalikai Falls
(D) Daintree Rainforest
Which of the following is the main language spoken in Meghalaya?
(A) Khasi
(B) Garo
(C) Jaintia
(D) English
Which of the following is the main religion in Meghalaya?
(A) Christianity
(B) Hinduism-2/”>Hinduism
(C) Islam
(D) Buddhism-2/”>Buddhism
Which of the following is the capital of Meghalaya?
(A) Shillong
(B) Tura
(C) Jowai
(D) Williamnagar