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Farm Production Diversification and Dietary Diversity among Subsistence Farming Households: Panel Data Evidence from South Africa

Author

Listed:
  • Sikhulumile Sinyolo

    (Human Sciences Research Council, Pretoria 0002, South Africa)

  • Conrad Murendo

    (CARE International, Mutare 0263, Zimbabwe)

  • Admire Mutsa Nyamwanza

    (Human Sciences Research Council, Cape Town 8001, South Africa)

  • Sithembile Amanda Sinyolo

    (Agriculture Sector Education and Training Authority, Pretoria 0002, South Africa)

  • Catherine Ndinda

    (Human Sciences Research Council, Cape Town 8001, South Africa)

  • Chijioke Osinachi Nwosu

    (Human Sciences Research Council, Cape Town 8001, South Africa
    Department of Economics and Finance, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein 9301, South Africa)

Abstract

Improving the production of a variety of foods by subsistence farmers has been identified as a key strategy for improving dietary diversity. However, there is limited evidence in South Africa on how one’s own production is linked to dietary diversity. This study relies on nationally representative panel data to investigate the extent to which farm production diversity is correlated with dietary diversity. The data indicated a moderate level of household dietary diversity that has been on a declining trend between 2008 and 2017. The farm households produced three food groups (meat, cereals, and vegetables), suggesting more reliance on food purchases than own production. The study found a positive relationship between own production diversification and dietary diversity and that dietary diversity varied by demographics and socio-economic characteristics of households. However, production diversity was not significantly associated with the consumption of micronutrient-rich foods such as fruits or vegetables. Higher levels of education, income per capita, food expenditure, and geographic location were some of the key drivers of dietary diversity among subsistence households. The findings suggest that encouraging subsistence farming households to produce various crop and animal species can be an effective strategy to improve dietary diversity among poor households in South Africa.

Suggested Citation

  • Sikhulumile Sinyolo & Conrad Murendo & Admire Mutsa Nyamwanza & Sithembile Amanda Sinyolo & Catherine Ndinda & Chijioke Osinachi Nwosu, 2021. "Farm Production Diversification and Dietary Diversity among Subsistence Farming Households: Panel Data Evidence from South Africa," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-14, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:18:p:10325-:d:636300
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