Socioeconomic differentiations, agriculture, and labour: Implications for diet and nutritional status of preschool age children in south marama, butere
View/ Open
Date
1991Author
Wandere, Donald Oluchina
Type
ThesisLanguage
enMetadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Anthropologists have continuously carried out
investigations, without apparent unanimity, on etiology of
nutritional problems particularly in rural economies.
emerged gives no determinate association between the
socioeconomic variables investigated and nutritional outcomes.
What has emerged gives no determinate association between the
socioeconomic variables investigated and nutritional outcomes
This underscores the primacy of looking at each case from its
experience, hence providing this study with a major cause for
departure.
This is a micro-level study undertaken in South Marama
location of Butere Division. It is confined to the agrarian,
labour and dietary parameters, all analysed against
socioeconomic gradations. Statistical evidence reveals profound
heterogeneity in the socioeconomic differentiations of the
households, resulting in a positive skew. A paradoxical
situation here is the outpointing of households participating in
commercial sugar cane production by those engaged in food
production with regard to socioeconomic scores. This introduces
the relevance in conceiving contingencies between the general
market sector and improvement in living standards.
The findings also reinforce the conventional contention on
adverse nutritional status resulting from sugar cane production.
This, it is concluded, is a consequence of the demands put upon
cane crop management which in effect makes it more
resource-diminishing than resource-generating; and the farmers'
lop-sided agricultural strategy which is less favourable to the
food sector. It is further observed that, the already insecure
food situation not withstanding, a considerable percentage of
the households, led by sugar cane producers, delocalize
farm foods in exchange for cash. This nullifies positive
nutritional status as in effect, foods imported are
comparatively low quality and quantity.
The potential for employment resources in strengthening
purchasing capacity is further underlined. It is observed that
piecemeal payments lead to a stable linear purchasing power, and
subsequently better nutritional status. A major conclusion here
is the need to establish institutions within the location which
will enhance opportunities for employment .