Project Brief

Evaluation of Food Basket Scheme for Chenchu tribe in Srisailam, Kurnool, Guntur, Prakasam and Mahabubnagar districts to understand the outcome/impact of the scheme on the lives and health status of the Chenchu people.

Project Description

The study was undertaken to evaluate the Food Basket Scheme under the MGNREGS. The project also assessed the quality, logistics and community interest in food basket schemes. In addition, the study sought to identify the gaps in administration of the schemes and to assess the process for implementing the food basket schemes. It was found that all the members of village organisation possess their job cards. The total number of beneficiaries under one job card ranged from one to eight, with a maximum of five members in Guntur district, eight members in Kurnool district, and six again in Mahabubnagar and Prakasam district. It was also found that the primary source of livelihood before getting the job card was collecting honey, gum or other forest products like tamarind, few medicinal herbs, bamboo etc. Most members of the Village Organisation do not own agricultural land. With regard to the distribution of food baskets, it was noticed that in Guntur and Mahabubnagar districts the distribution was very late and in other districts it was distributed on time. The interactions with the beneficiaries and the subsequent field visits clearly indicated that the overall implementation of the scheme was good. However, to make it more successful it was recommended that there should be more awareness, timely supply of food basket and improvement in the quality of the food basket.