Study has been done and full report is all right of Author

1. Abstract: A study on dietary practices of women farmers and
its consequences in West Bengal
Author: Md Ehteshamuddin, Jamia Hamdard University
Knowledge & Learning officer, CARE India
Background:
Women are imperative when it comes a matter of Malnutrition and Anaemia. Nation Family
Health Surveys 3 (NFHS-3) says Ever-married women in age group of 15-49 who are anaemic
accounts 56.2% while in pregnant women Anaemia survives among 57.9%.
Food and Agriculture Organization of United Nations (FAO) claims that 46.46% women in
India constitute as a contributor in agricultural works besides the household chores.
According to Census 2011, 41.1% of female main and marginal workers are agricultural
labourers, 24.0% are cultivators. They perform the bulk of on and off farm activities while
consumes food after satisfying all other members of the household due to the social and
cultural barriers. The heavy workload a women carrying reduces their productive
contributions and perpetuates the cycle of malnutrition to the next generation. India is
home to one-third of the world’s malnourished children.
Goal
‘’Indian women are no more anaemic’’
Objective
To identify the scope within the community to improve women’s dietary practices, workload
sharing and access & control over economic resources.
Methodology
1. Study Participants: A cross section of 100 household of women farmers.
2. Study Location: Kotulpur Block situated in Bankura district, West Bengal.
3. Study design: A cross sectional study
4. Data collection methods: Qualitative and quantitative; Focussed Group Discussion,
In Depth Interviews and closed ended questionnaire.
Results
Cohort: 100 women farmers
 Women’s irregular timing of food intake: 78.27%
 Poor Dietary diversity : 79.51%
 Limited knowledge about nutrition: 73.86%.
 Women’s heavy work load:82.33%
 Limited access & control on resources: 76.45%.
Conclusion
There are cultural and social norms including Gender discrimination prevail in community
led by their mother in laws, father in laws, husband of women farmers and other community

2. level leaders like religious and PRI members. Best suited intervention needs not only for
women but for other disabling actors of the community to mitigate the nutritional problems.
References:
1. National Family Health Survey (NFHS-) Data 2005-2006,
2. Food and Agriculture organization of United Nations, FAO estimate 2013
3. Baseline study, EnSIGN, CARE India, 2015