Fragile Human Capital Causes Poverty in North Bihar: Some Empirical Evidences

Various components of human development of poor households have been studied in North Bihar. The data has revealed that a higher proportion of females are chronically energy deficient than of males in the rural areas. The prevalence of chronic energy deficiency (CED) has been reported in both poor and non-poor households. The incidence of illiteracy and non-enrolment in schools have been found higher in the poor households, whereas the rate of completion of schooling has been observed comparatively high in the non-poor households. The study has further indicated low stake of poor households in the management of rural organizations. The analysis of determinants of poverty has suggested that level of poverty could be reduced through higher investments for the improvement of educational and nutritional status of the rural poor as well as launching of more rural development programmes. The study has observed that targeting of rural poor households in formulating strategies and implementing development programmes warrant special attention. These factors need to be addressed immediately for increasing their capability and skill so that they could be able to get out of poverty sphere. The improvement in social and human development aspects has been the per-requisite for implementation of any programme for poverty attenuation in Bihar.Agricultural and Food Policy,