© Kamla-Raj 2005 J. Hum. Ecol., 18(3): 245-252 (2005) Effect of Drought on Nutritional Status of Rural Community in Karnataka M. Ravindranath, K. Venkaiah, M.Vishnuvardhana Rao, N. Arlappa, Ch. Gal Reddy, K. Mallikharjuna Rao, Sharad Kumar, G.N.V. Brahmam and K.Vijayaraghavan National Institute of Nutrition, Indian Council of Medical Research, Jamai Osmania (Post), Hyderabad 500 007, Andhra Pradesh, India KEYWORDS Drought. Diet. Nutritional Status. Karnataka. Coping Strategies. Development Programmes ABSTRACT The State of Karnataka experienced drought during the year 2002, resulting fall in agricultural production, food insecurity, acute shortage of drinking water and fodder for cattle, reduced employment opportunities (in the labour activities) leading to migration of individuals to neighboring States. It was reported that the coverage of households in food for work programme, undertaken under drought relief works was poor (10.3%) and a family on an average, had an opportunity to participate in these works for a maximum of only 3 days during the entire drought period. However, a majority (71%) of the households were benefited with the developmental programme TPDS, while coverage of households in old age pension scheme (7.3%) and AAY (2.2%) was very poor in the villages covered for the present study. The intakes of foodstuffs at the household level, such as green leafy vegetables, roots and tubers, other vegetables, fruits, milk and milk products, fats and sugar was lower as compared to RDA as well as the levels reported by NNMB in its survey during non-drought period (2000-2001). The daily average intake of all the nutrients except calcium and thiamin was less than the levels recommended. The adverse effect of drought was reflected by marked decrease in the intake of vitamin A and concomitant increase in the prevalence of Bitot’s Spots among preschool children. Food insecurity, particularly with respect to income elastic foods was significantly higher among SC/ST communities and in the households engaged in labour activities. Similarly, higher proportion of HHs of SC/ST communities and those households engaged in agricultural labour, adopted coping strategies like consumption of low cost foods and reduction in the quantities of food consumed. The prevalence of undernutrition among preschool children during current drought and non- drought periods was comparable perhaps due to effective implementation of supplementary nutrition programmes like ICDS in these areas. However, the prevalence of CED among adults was significantly higher during the current drought, which is reflection of reduction in the overall intake of dietary energy. The study revealed that though the serious ill effects of drought were largely prevented, there is a need to strengthen the drought relief programmes as well as supplementary nutrition programmes. INTRODUCTION The year 2002 was another year of drought in several parts of India, including the State of Karnataka. Recurrent droughts are known to affect the country’s economy adversely, in terms of drop in agricultural production and agro based industrial output, increase in rural unemployment, decrease in purchasing power, reduce household food and nutrition security, migration of rural poor to urban areas and large scale displacement or death of cattle. In turn, these will lead to sharp increase in the prevalence of undernutrtion, morbidity and mortality in the community. The consequences of such droughts are more severe among the poor, who are most vulnerable in terms of their access to resources (Dreze and Sen, 1989). A rapid survey was undertaken at the request of Ministry of Agriculture, Government Of India, during the Address Correspondence to: M. Ravindranath, National Institute of Nutrition, Indian Council of Medical Research, Jamai Osmania (Post), Hyderabad, 500 007, Andhra Pradesh. months of May and June 2003, to assess the diet and nutrition situation in drought affected States viz., Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Orissa. The results of the survey in the State of Karnataka are presented here. Objectives The objectives of the present study are To assess food and nutrient intakes of popu- lation in the drought affected areas, To assess household food security status and coping mechanisms adopted by the community during the current drought, To assess nutritional status of the community in terms of anthropometry and clinical exami- nation and To assess the extent of participation of households in drought relief activities and other development programmes, to assess the impact of drought, if any, on vulnerable segments of the