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One might argue that a correlation of the FSI with its components would not be valid. But the larger
the number of component variables, the weaker is this argument. Since in this case the FSI is
composed of eleven components, which is a fairly large number, the force of argument against
using these correlations is relatively weaker. However, in case of the correlation of component
variables with the three sub-indices, the force of this argument would be relatively stronger, since
in case of some sub-indices, the number of components is rather small, e.g. the Absorption Index.
On the other hand, the inter-correlation of sub-indices does not run into any problem of validity
since their components are different. Also, while one may place a lower faith in the absolute level
of correlation of component variables with the three sub-indices, the relative value of correlations
of components with the three sub-indices can still be relied upon to show the relative importance
of component variables.
As implicit in the approach to food security outlined earlier, these variables are supposed to exercise
an influence on the food security through one of its three components viz., Availability, Access and
Absorption, with which these indicators have been linked. We may, therefore, examine separately
the correlation of each of the above variables with the component of food security whose part they
form.
7.3.1 Availability Index
The three variables which go to form this Index are the per capita value of agricultural output, irrigation
percentage and percentage of villages having approach to paved roads. All these three reveal a very
strong correlation and in fact a much stronger correlation with the Availability Index than with food
security. The percentage of net cropped area which is irrigated shows the strongest correlation
(r=+0.909**) with the Food Security Availability Index. Per capita value of agricultural output also shows
a very strong correlation (+0.610**), though a slightly less strong correlation than irrigation. Roads
are somewhat less strongly correlated (r=+0.405*) to the Availability Index. Since these three variables
are of key importance for Availability component of food security, in order to strengthen food security
in the state, policy formulation should put an equally strong emphasis on measures which specifically
address these three variables.
7.3.2 Access Index
We now look at the correlation of the Food Security Access Index with the six variables of which it
is composed. Among these, only two variables reveal a strong and statistically significant correlation,
namely, female literacy (r=0.723**) and the proportion of agricultural labour (r=+0.799**). The other
variables do not reveal correlation above +0.166. This is somewhat surprising since income is well
known to be a major determinant of access to food. It is possible that consumption per-capita is a
good indicator of income, although here again theoretical as well as statistical evidence supports
this hypothesis. In any case, consumption level by itself is also a key component of food security.
88 FOOD SECURITY ATLAS OF RURAL BIHAR