ABSTRACT
PIP: Malnutrition in India is related to both food production and poverty. The Dairy Development Project is one of several income generating programs initiated by the government of India. Conducted at the Milk Producing Cooperative Society at Harohalli and Vishwanathpura villages in Bangalore District, this study explored whether the children belonging to families who joined dairy cooperatives were better nourished than those who do not have such additional income. Data were assessed for four groups of 90 children from either large milk producing (LP) households, marginal producers (MP), small producers (SP), or non-producers (NP). The average protein intake of the total sample of children was 15-22g. Children in MP and LP families had protein intake in the range 18-23g compared to children of SP and NP families (15-20g). The average calorie intake ranged 615-979. Intake was highest among LP children and lowest in the NP group, but none of the groups met the RDA requirement. Considerable amounts of milk are being procured from rural families and increasing their income. This higher milk production is associated with the adequacy of protein and calorie intake of pre-school children.^ieng
