Factors Affecting Nutritional Status of India: An Economic Analysis with Special Reference to Agricultural Performance

Abstract

Indian economy is the fastest growing economy of the world surpassing China during financial year 2015 and 2018. GDP of the country was recorded 7.1% in 2016 and it declined to 6.7% in 2017. Agriculture sector is underperforming for combating malnutrition of a large proportion of the population. The study is based on the reports of National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4) conducted during 2015-16 and data for Gross value of Output from Agriculture (GOVA) and allied sector was obtained from Directorate of Economics and Statistics Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, GoI. Correlation and regression analysis was carried out to establish relationship between agricultural performance and malnutrition and to examine the factors influencing malnutrition in the country. Results indicated that there is negative correlation between malnutrition and agricultural performances thus, contributed to reduce malnutrition. Other factors like access to safe drinking water, toilet facilities in household, Basic Vaccination given to the children, Percentage of Children breastfed after one hour of birth preceding five years of survey were assessed strong factors affecting malnutrition. The government initiatives like Integrated Child Development Scheme, Aangan Badi Yojana, Mid-Day Meal Yojana, Swachh Bharat Yojana, Aausman Bharat Mission etc are some steps to tackle the malnutrition in the nation country. Thus the steps other than on-farm diversification are also needed to combat the problems of malnutrition.

Keywords: Agriculture, Malnutrition, Economy, On-farm diversification

JEL Classification: O1, O15, O33, Q01, Q1, Q15