Food Consumption And Nutritional Status Of Vulnerable People Rearing Livestock In Bangladesh

This study was carried out in farm households rearing livestock in three vulnerable districts, Sirajganj, Bogra and Jamalpur of Bangladesh. Based on primary data on 210 households in 2010, the study aimed at assessing the impact of rearing livestock on food consumption and nutrition of farm households. The study carried out both descriptive and functional analyses and observed that livestock alone contributed 41 percent of total income, family food cost was 58 percent of total cost and 43 percent of total income. Daily per capita food, calorie and protein intakes were respectively 1101.02g, 2230 kcal and 69g. Rice alone contributed 68 percent of total calorie intake. Farm households of Jamalpur district consumed significantly less amount of food, calorie and protein. Daily per capita food consumption was influenced by farm size, family size and district but not by income. The overall absolute and hard core poverty indices on the basis of DCI were respectively 48 percent and 29 percent and they were respectively 48 percent and 32 percent on the basis of poverty line. Poverty incidence was the highest in Jamalpur district. As a policy option, livestock rearing should be intensified and strengthened by offering different government support programmes in Jamalpur district since livestock rearing and food consumption and nutritional security was positively related.