Agricultural Economics Research Review

Using data on household consumption we have examined the incidence of vulnerability of rural households to poverty and nutritional insecurity in the state of Rajasthan, a large part of which is arid. Our findings show that ex ante poverty is less (7.7%) than ex post poverty (12.4%). Surprisingly, there appears to be a disconnect between poverty and undernourishment; the incidence of nutritional insecurity is much higher than the incidence of poverty. However, there are significant regional differences; households in the southern region, and non-agricultural and socially disadvantaged households, are more vulnerable to poverty and nutritional insecurity.