Threatening nutritional security: State and market induced dietary change among the Konda Reddis, South India

Abstract

The most important aspect of the Konda Reddis is their diversified livelihood. As argued elsewhere (Thanuja, 2006), shifting cultivation which is their mode of subsistence is a diversified strategy which allows management of time, space and labour in practicing cultivation, hunting, gathering, rearing livestock, maintaining kitchen gardens and making of bamboo ware. This diversified livelihood facilitates a dietary intake of multiple millets and pulses along with products of hunting and collection. However, increased participation in the state development programmes and the market has induced dietary changes in the Konda Reddis destroying the biodiversity in their consumption pattern. The paper sets out to further explore the causes of dietary changes and its threat to nutritional security among the Konda Reddis.