KVK, WYRA -Visit to Pusukunta Village, Dammapet Mandal, Bhadradri – Kottagudem District On 12-04-2022

India is a home to tribal population and constitute about 8% of the total population in India, with varying proportions in different States. They live in unique physical, socio-economic and cultural environment, isolated from general population. In view of their habitat and food habits, they form a distinct group compared to other populations. Their food intake is influenced by vagaries of nature with large seasonal variations, depending upon availability of agricultural and forest produce. Food systems comprise of elements and activities that relate to the way in which the food is produced, processed, distributed, prepared and consumed. The interface where people interact with the wider food system to acquire and consume foods is defined as the food environment. Depending on geographical location, people interface with wild, cultivated and market food environments. The attributes of foods within these environments influence peoples’ food choices and has the potential to affect their nutritional status. Sustainable Development Goal 2 promises to end hunger, achieve food and nutrition security and promote sustainable agriculture among all populations, especially nutritionally vulnerable people. In order to improve the living conditions and nutritional status of tribals in Telangana State, the Honourable Governor has taken up a novel initiative of ‘Nutritional intervention in primitive tribal groups living in the primitive tribal groups’ habitats’ at villages Pusukunta and Gogulapudi of Dammapet mandal, Bhadradri – Kottagudem district. A meeting was organised Secretariat of the Honourable Governor on 12.04.2022 to interact with primitive tribes in which Dr. J. Hemantha Kumar, Programme Coordinator and Dr. Jessie Suneetha W, Scientist (Home Science) participated at Pusukunta village. The village consisted of Konda reddies with 42 households and approximately 340 acres of cultivable land. They are mainly dependent on cultivation of cashew and eucalyptus to a large extent with few acres of maize and cow pea. Very little paddy cultivation about14 acres was observed in this region. Although the village is remote, it has a primary school, anganwadi center, water tank and electricity. Each house hold has it own dish connection with most houses having TVs and gas connection. They also use wood for cooking. The people are provided with ration of rice, pulses and other essential food items for 6 months at a time as the mud roads may be cut off during rainy season. They grow vegetables during rainy seasons in the backyards of houses. Most houses rear chicks along with goats and buffaloes. They eat three meals consisting of rice and dals prepared from cow pea or beans. Breakfast also included rice and dals. Vegetables and forest produce are included in the diets based on the availability.