Browsing by Author "Maria Luz George"

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    Diversification for Livelyhood Security:Experiences from Major Coconut Growing Countries
    (2012) Kalavathi, S.; Erlene Manohar; Peyanoot Naka; Vo Van Long; Krishnakumar, V.; Thomas, R.J.; George V. Thomas; Maria Luz George
    This paper presents the success of community based organizations in achieving sustainability in marginal coconut holdings through diversification of crops and enterprises along with conservation of local varieties.The project was implemented in 19 communities of 10 coconut growing countries and findings from four major coconut growing countries, which had significant project outcome- India, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam -are discussed in the present paper.All the four major coconut growing countries recorded a significant difference in total household income over the project period.Among the four countries,India and Philippines had a significant difference in mean income derived from intercrops,India and Thailand for livestock integration and India and Vietnam for off-farm activities. Herfindahl index for indicating economic diversity of households revealed a significant diversification of income for India as well as the overall data for the four countries. A higher level of education and more available land also positively influenced total income.In general, improvements in income were better with bigger-sized farms and households, with male household heads.The overall data revealed significant improvement in food and nutritional security with clearest impacts in India and Philippines due to project efforts. Participation of women in trainings and interventions was the highest in India, followed by Thailand.
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    Diversification of livelihood for the marginal coconut farmers: A replicable model
    (2010) Kalavathi, S.; Krishnakumar, V.; Regi Jacob Thomas; George V. Thomas; Maria Luz George
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    Improving food and nutritional security of small and marginal coconut growers through diversification of crops and enterprises
    (2010) Kalavathi, S.; Krishnakumar, V.; Regi Jacob Thomas; George V. Thomas; Maria Luz George
    This paper presents the impact of integrating interventions like nutrition gardening, livestock rearing, product diversification and allied income generation activities in small and marginal coconut homesteads along with nutrition education in improving the food and nutritional security as well as the income of the family members. The activities were carried out through registered Community Based Organizations (CBOs) in three locations in Kerala, India during 2005-2008. Data was collected before and after the project periods through interviews using a pre-tested questionnaire containing statements indicating the adequacy, quality and diversity of food materials. Fifty respondents each were randomly selected from the three communities, thereby resulting in a total sample size of 150. The data was analysed using SPSS by adopting statistical tools like frequency, average, percentage analysis, t – test and regression. Participatory planning and implementation of diverse interventions notably intercropping and off-farm activities along with nutrition education brought out significant improvements in the food and nutritional security, in terms of frequency and quantity of consumption as well as diet diversity. At the end of the project, 96%of the members became completely food secure and 72% nutritionally secure. The overall consumption of fruits, vegetables and milk by both children and adults and egg by children recorded increase over the project period. Consumption of fish was more than the Recommended Dietary Intake (RDI) level during pre and post project periods. Project interventions like nutrition gardening could bring in surplus consumption of vegetables (35%) and fruits (10%) than RDI. In spite of the increased consumption of green leafy vegetables and milk and milk products over the project period, the levels of consumption were still below the RDI levels. CBO-wise analysis of the consumption patterns revealed the need for location-specific interventions matching to the needs and preferences of the communities.