Preference for Food Distribution and Food Beliefs among Women under Special Conditions in Sericulture House Holds

Karnataka has a pride place in mulberry silk production and is the leading centre for traditional sericulture in India. Karnataka's pioneering efforts in expanding sericulture industry with the World Bank's assistance has motivated considerable number of farmers to take-up sericulture. Among all the subsidiary occupations, sericulture occupies an enviable position from the point of providing additional income. It is estimated that sericulture fetches about Rs. 5,000/acre as against cash crops like sugarcane and potato where the net income is only Rs. 3,000. Status of food distribution among households of sericulture is poor in relation to their nutritional requirements. The situation is strongly supported by the food beliefs among the women folk of the enterprise. Looking into these facts, the present study was undertaken to understand the food distribution order and food beliefs of sericulture households in Bangalore rural district.