Definition of Poverty as suggested by Experts 

According to Townsend(Townsend, 1979) "Individuals, families and groups in the population can be said to be in poverty when they lack the resources to obtain the types of diet, participate in the activities and having the living conditions and amenities which are customary, or at least widely encouraged or approved, in the societies to which they belong". Their resources are so seriously below those commanded by the average individual or family they are, in effect, excluded from ordinary patterns. Customs and activities 

Expert-drived definitions of Poverty

1. Fractions of the income distribution

Poverty is often defined by reference to the bottom 20% or 40% of the expenditure distribution. The RDP study defines the 20% as "Ultra poor" and the 40% as "Poor".

2. The poverty Datum line

It defines Poverty by means of two Datum parts namely,  the Primary Poverty Datum Line which 
consisted solely of the cost of food, clothing, cleansing materials, fuel and light, and the 
Secondary Poverty Datum Line which in addition made provision for the cost of accommodation, 
transport for the breadwinner, and taxation.

3. Minimum living level and supplemental living level

This has been described as the lowest sum possible on which a specific size household can live.

4. Food insecurity measures of Poverty

Poverty is defined as the very low cost food ration scale used by the household.