Farm production diversity and commercialization on women and child dietary diversity in some selected areas in Bangladesh

Abstract

Diversified agricultural production is considered a means to enhance food diversity at the household level, particularly in developing countries where subsistence farming is common .To our knowledge, no research have examined the effects of commercialization, farm production diversification and socio-demographic status on women's and children's dietary diversity. The influence of agricultural diversification, and commercialization on women's, and children's dietary diversity in Chattogram, Bangladesh is jointly examined in this research. Additionally, we examine the effects of individual agricultural methods and crop and livestock diversification as well as nutritional diversity independently.Data were obtained from 300 randomly selected families in a district. For model estimation, negative binomial regression was utilized. Diversity in women dietary composition was strongly and favorably correlated with family income. The WDD was 0.46 times lower likely of less than or equal to 25000 taka incoming people than greater than or equal to 26000 taka incoming people.The women diatery diversity was associated with family member. The WDD was 0.32 times lower for household size member 1 to 6 than the member of greater than 6. Furthermore, the diversity of women's diets was strongly correlated with market involvement.The people who attend market participation the WDD was 7.92 times higher for them than not to attend. The people who reared domestic animal the WDD was 0.36 times lower than who not reared.In case of children’s diatery diversity, one unit increase of farm production the CDD rate increases 18%. The CDD rate among market participation (sale product) was 0.61 as low as the rate among non-market participation. Better market access and farm production diversity can be used to increase dietary diversity of women and children. The results emphasize the necessity of improving market access, family income, crop-livestock integration, small livestock, legumes, vegetables, and fruits for improved nutrition.