Food And Nutritional Security In The Slums Of Hyderabad

The case-studies presented in this report are a preliminary survey of the food and nutrition security situation in low-income communities in the emerging Megacity of Hyderabad. Understanding current conditions of food and nutrition security and their determinants, and how these are changing in the face of evolving employment opportunities and population composition is essential for a sustainable and inclusive growth of the city. This research attempted to provide contextual information on some of these issues by conducting qualitative and quantitative research in three urban slums of Hyderabad—Rahmath Nagar, Papi Reddy, and Addagutta. The report explores the conditions and environment in each slum by providing information on livelihoods, infrastructure, services, food security, and nutrition. Constraints to reducing hunger and malnutrition were found across all three communities including seasonality of employment, limed availability of foods resulting in a limited dietary diversity, and child feeding and caring practices that are not optimal. In other cases, the challenges found were specific to the contextual circumstances of each community particularly dietary practices influenced by religion and culture, and social networks determined by permanence of community residents. The report concludes by calling for further in-depth research and action to better understand the challenges and opportunities to food security and nutrition present in the low-income communities of Hyderabad.