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VOL. 11, ISSUE 5 (2025)
Dimensions and determinants of food security in Bihar
Authors
Rohit Kumar, Dr. Ambarish Kumar Rai
Abstract
Food security remains a pressing developmental challenge in Bihar, one
of India's most populous yet socioeconomically disadvantaged states. Despite
national progress in reducing hunger and poverty, Bihar continues to exhibit
high levels of undernutrition, stunting, and food insecurity, particularly
among marginalised and rural households. Drawing on the Food and Agriculture
Organization's (FAO) four-pillar framework—availability, access, utilisation,
and stability—this paper examines the dimensions and determinants of food
security in Bihar by analysing secondary datasets including Census 2011, [1]
National Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS-5, 2019–21), National Sample Survey
Office (NSSO) consumption rounds, and government program reports. The analysis
reveals that agricultural dependence, fragmented landholdings, poverty, gender
disparities, migration, and climate vulnerabilities significantly shape the
food security outcomes of households in Bihar. Empirical evidence highlights
widespread dietary inadequacy, with stunting at 42.9% and wasting at 22.9%
among children under five (NFHS-5), alongside anaemia affecting 63% of women
aged 15–49. Policy interventions such as the National Food Security Act (NFSA),
Public Distribution System (PDS), Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS),
Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), and the Jal
Jeevan Mission play a critical role but remain hindered by governance
challenges and coverage gaps. Linking Bihar’s food security outcomes with
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 1
(No Poverty), SDG 3 (Good Health), and SDG 13 (Climate Action), the paper
argues that convergence across sectors is essential to break the
intergenerational cycle of deprivation.
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Pages:16-19
How to cite this article:
Rohit Kumar, Dr. Ambarish Kumar Rai "Dimensions and determinants of food security in Bihar". International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Research, Vol 11, Issue 5, 2025, Pages 16-19
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