The Political Economy of Drought Conditions in an Indian State

This paper uses primary agricultural data collected from six villages in the western part of the state of Odisha during the period 2010-2012. Odisha was declared as severely drought affected for two consecutive years during the period. This paper critically analyses the institutional arrangements of the Odisha government in the context of severe drought conditions. In the final analysis it is found that the western region of the state of Odisha is severely food insecure and insufficient institutional arrangements is further contributing to loss of livelihood. In essence, the paper provides a political economy framework to understanding the food insecurity conditions of the western region of Odisha.