Gyaneshwar Singh Gorakhpur Environmental Action Group, Bihar

1. FOOD SYSTEM VULNERABILITYANDADAPTIVE CAPACITY ENHANCING OPTIONSVAISHALI DISTRICT, BIHAR (SITE-4)7th Feb, 2009 at New Delhi Gyaneshwar Singh Gorakhpur Environmental Action Group, Bihar Email: geag2@sancharnet.in and paramgsingh@gmail.com Website: www.geagindia.org

2. Profile of Vaishali District Geo-Graphical: • Locked By Mountains and Hills of the Himalayas and Plateau of Jharkhand • Surrounded by River Ganga in South and Gandak in West. • Topograhy- Chaur ( Low Land Area) • Annual Rainfall -1121 mm. • Drought and Flood Prone Area • Local Climate & Soil Type Favorable for Rice, Wheat & Maize - Major Cereals

3. Socio-Economic • Population: 94 % Rural and 6% Urban • 90% Population have Agriculture as Primary Income and 64% Population have Migration as Secondary Income • Per Capital Income = Rs. 3830 is 13% of National Average (in 2006-2007) • 63% Population Suffering From Poverty • 80% of Population Suffering From Malnutrition

4. Agricultural • 90% of Population dependent on agriculture • Small and Scattered Land (Above 90% with 0.37 hectare) • 40% agricultural land is unused • 65% area is occupied by local varieties • 67% area is irrigated • 37% area is sown more than once • 2 % Agricultural growth rate (45% of average Bihar Ag growth rate)

5. FOOD SYSTEM & DETERMINANTS: a. Food Availability Outcome

6. b. Food Access Outcome

7. c. Food Utilization Outcome

8. Climatic Variability - Water Stresses • Uncertain, Unequal and Abrupt Rainfall (e.g. onset in 2005 & 2006: Mid of Jeth; in 2007: 3rd Week of Baishakh; in 2008: Ist Week of Baishakh) • Increase of Soil and Air Temperature in last 10 yrs (based on farmers’ perception of irrigation demand) • Decreasing Trend of Rainfall In Last 33 Years (1974 to 2007 – Met Office stats) • Flooding (With Water Logging) & Drought both Common • Severity Trend of Water Stresses- Initially Flood with Water Logging- then drought- then Flood With Prolonged Water (in 2007 and 2008) (Farmer’ Perceptions)

9. Vulnerability Assessment of Food System

12. Households’ Perceptions of Their Own Food Security Vulnerability to Water Stresses Grounds of Classification: Land Holding, Agricultural Production, Economic Status & Wealth, Affordability, Diversified Source Of Income, Remittances, Storage Facilities, Control Over Production, Food Availability, Access And Reach To Government Schemes Etc. ( Data Taken in June,07)

13. Urgent Demand of Farming Community Towards Adaptation • Timely Availability of Quality Inputs • Drought & Flood Resistant High Yielding Crop Varieties • Irrigation Facilities • Information on Modern Techniques ( Crop and Equipments ) • Ease Credit Schemes • Alternate Options of Chemical and High Cost of Inputs • Additional Livelihood Options • Government Schemes ( Like NREGA, PDS)

14. Adaptation Response Priority F.S. OUTCOMES Food Availability ACTORS ACTIVITIES Production Distribution Production( Increase Crop Diversification, Intensification ) Government Machineries Exchange Food Access Processing & Packaging ( Better Storage ) Private Sector (Ex: Market, Affordability Allocation Distribution & Retail (Improve Road, Transportation ) Preferences Civil Society Organization Food Utilization Resource Manager ( Farmers) Consumption ( Safe drinking water facilities ) Nutritional Value Social Value Food Safety

15. **Thanks**