This book is an outcome of the Impactful Policy Research in Social Science (IMPRESS) project, "Mapping the Vulnerability of Indigenous Hill People of Meghalaya to Food Insecurity” funded by the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), New Delhi. It provides a comprehensive analysis of food insecurity and vulnerability among the indigenous hill tribes of Meghalaya, offering a data-driven foundation for developing effective policies and targeted programmatic activities. Beyond documenting the current landscape of food availability, accessibility, and utilization, the book highlights the vital role of local and ethnic plants in food system of indigenous hill people.
About the Author
Dr. Deepak Bhagat is Professor and Head in the Department of Agribusiness Management and Food Technology, North Eastern Hill University, Tura Campus, Meghalaya. He did his PhD from Gauhati University, Guwahati and MBA (Agribusiness) from Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat. He is deeply involved in various academic and professional bodies. He has seven books and five edited books to his credit. He has more than 50 research papers in national and international refereed journals. He also has more than 46 research papers in edited books. He has successful completed four external funded research projects. He has presented papers in seminars and conferences of national and international level. The field of interest of Dr Bhagat is Agribusiness, Agri-Supply Chain Management, Food Insecurity and Food Sovereignty under Mountain Specificities. He is engaged in teaching and research for over eighteen years. He is also in the editorial board of national and international journals.
Contents
Preface
List of Tables
List of Figures
List of Appendices
Introduction
1.1.
Introduction
1.2.
Food Security and Vulnerability to Food Insecurity
1.3.
Identification of Research Gap
1.4.
Statement of the Problem
1.5.
Research Questions
1.6.
Objectives of the Study
1.7.
Significance of Study
1.8.
Outline of the Study
Conceptual Framework
2.1.
Conceptualizing Food Security
2.2.
Conceptualizing Vulnerability to Food Insecurity
2.3.
Measuring Food Security
2.3.1.Aggregate Food Availability
2.3.2.Household Food Access
2.3.3. Individual and Household Food Utilization
2.4.
Measuring Vulnerability to Food Insecurity
2.5.
Conclusion
Review of Literature
3.1.
Food (In)security in Hills and Mountains
3.1.1. Mountain Specificities and Food (In)security
3.1.2. Mountain Specificities and Food (In)security
3.2.
Nature and Causes of Food Insecurity in Hills and Mountains
3.2.1. Persistent Poverty in Hills and Mountains
3.2.2. Changing Dietary Habits and Deteriorating Local Food Systems
3.2.3. Natural Calamities, Climate Change and Depleting Natural Resources
3.2.4. Hill and Mountain Specificities in Research, Policies and Programmes
3.3.
Potential of Hills and Mountains in Ensuring Food Security
3.3.1. Taping the Benefit of Indigenous and High Value Mountain Crops
3.3.2. Taping the Benefits of Indigenous Foods and Local Food Systems
3.3.3. Taping the Benefits of Indigenous Farming and Traditional Knowledge
