Workfare programs and children's meals intake: Evidence from India. (August 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bagavathinathan, Karan Singh; Chaurey, Ritam
• Is Part Of: Food policy. Volume 95(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-08
• Subjects: Workfare programs -- Child nutrition -- Female employment; I15 -- I38 -- O12; Food supply -- Periodicals; Food security -- Periodicals; Food -- Quality -- Periodicals; Food Supply -- Periodicals; Alimentation -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 338.1905
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foodpol.2020.101942
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-9192

Abstract

Highlights: We study the impact of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act on food consumption of children. We find a decrease in the number of meals for preschool and school-going children. The main results are stronger in poorer households and during the dry season. The negative effects on the number of meals are partially attenuated in larger households. We find no effects in urban areas. Abstract: This paper examines the impact of the Indian workfare program (MGNREGA - Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) that promotes female participation, on the food consumption of children. Using nationally representative data from the National Sample Surveys between 1999–2007, and a difference-in-differences strategy stemming from the staggered roll-out of the program across districts of India, we find that MGNREGA resulted in a decrease in the number of meals for preschool and school-going children. The negative effects on the number of meals are partially attenuated in larger households.