Production Diversity and Household Dietary Diversity: Evidence from Bihar and Odisha

Agricultural production is crucial for self-consumption, especially for small and marginal farmers, as it serves as direct means to enhance household food security and nutritional outcome in rural areas. This study aims to understand the relationship between production diversity (crop diversity, animal husbandry diversity and kitchen garden diversity) and household dietary diversity in the rural areas of Bihar and Odisha. The study finds that agricultural production diversity and consumption from diverse sources of household production have a significant and positive association with household dietary diversity. The results suggest a need to promote crop diversification and agriculture production diversity considering the state’s requirements and agro-climatic conditions. Promoting animal husbandry and preserving common property resources through appropriate policy instruments can significantly improve household access and consumption of diverse food groups. Furthermore, fostering cost-effective community and school kitchen gardens and kitchen garden cultivation at the household level can be a key policy option to address food and nutritional insecurity.