The power-point on Session 2 of the workshop on Gender and Food Security in India organised by Visthar, Bangalore highlights causes of food insecurity and gender specific causes of food insecurity in India. It also outlines the methodology adopted. A case study on Gangamma was used to highlight causes/gender specific causes of food insecurity at production, access and utlisation levels. Though the session focused on India the framework for analysis of food insecurity could be used anywhere

1. Causes of food insecurity
Ranjani.K.Murthy and Mercy Kappen

2. Objectives
To strengthen participants’ understanding of
reasons for food insecurity,
• Objective 1
To strengthen participant’s understanding of
gender specific reasons for food insecurity
• Objective 2

3. Food security
Production Access Utilisation

4. Group exercise
• Discuss the reasons for food insecurity
emerging from Gangamma’s case study at
three levels production, access and utilisation
and possible solutions (including gender
specific ones).

5. Reason’s for Gangamma’s food
insecurity
Conversion of
land for bio
fuel
Use of
Chemical
fertilizer
Climate change
& less
production
Food
production
Food
access Mother and
Contract failure
Lack of access
to cash to buy
food
daughter have
lesser access to
food.
Poor nutrition
could affect
daughter’s
education
Food
utilization

6. Production and food insecurity
2% growth
Oilseeds
Pulses
little
Conversion
of
agriculture
land
Un-sustainable
practices
Bio fuel
production
Contract
farming
Climate
change
Women
have little
land

7. Access and food insecurity
Food grain exports more than
imports
Cash is replacing kind wages
75% India <$2 (EAG worse)
Majority MF/SF, LL increasing

8. Access and food insecurity
Market access weak during
monsoon and conflicts
Credit for food grain/pulse
purchase poor
Food entitlements through
schemes not reaching

9. Food utilization
Less
diversity
Utilis-ation
Fuel
shortage
Time
Unhealthy
In ra HH
food
distribution
food