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Poverty–Food Security Nexus: Evidence from a Survey of Urban Slum Dwellers in Kolkata

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  • Maitra, Chandana
  • Rao, D.S. Prasada

Abstract

We explore the poverty–food security nexus, using an experience-based indicator of food security constructed using a cross-section sample of slum households in Kolkata, within the framework of a simultaneous ordered probit model. We find, a poor household is also likely to be food insecure. Additionally education, gender, and household composition are major drivers of food insecurity among low-income urban households, with the policy implication that anti-poverty policies should be successful in eliminating household food insecurity, however, they need to be complemented with human capital investment and gender empowerment to be most effective.

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  • Maitra, Chandana & Rao, D.S. Prasada, 2015. "Poverty–Food Security Nexus: Evidence from a Survey of Urban Slum Dwellers in Kolkata," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 72(C), pages 308-325.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:wdevel:v:72:y:2015:i:c:p:308-325
    DOI: 10.1016/j.worlddev.2015.03.006
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