Nutrition education, farm production diversity, and commercialization on household and individual dietary diversity in Zimbabwe

Murendo, C and Nhau, B and Mazvimavi, K and Khanye, T and Gwara, S (2018) Nutrition education, farm production diversity, and commercialization on household and individual dietary diversity in Zimbabwe. Food & Nutrition Research (TSI), 62. pp. 1-12. ISSN 1654-6628

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Abstract

Background: Nutrition education is crucial for improved nutrition outcomes. However, there are no studies to the best of our knowledge that have jointly analysed the roles of nutrition education, farm production diversity and commercialization on household, women and child dietary diversity. Objective: This article jointly analyses the role of nutrition education, farm production diversity and commercialization on household, women and children dietary diversity in Zimbabwe. In addition, we analyze separately the roles of crop and livestock diversity and individual agricultural practices on dietary diversity. Design: Data were collected from 2,815 households randomly selected in eight districts. Negative binomial regression was used for model estimations. Results: Nutrition education increased household, women, and child dietary diversity by 3, 9 and 24%, respectively. Farm production diversity had a strong and positive association with household and women dietary diversity. Crop diversification led to a 4 and 5% increase in household and women dietary diversity, respectively. Furthermore, livestock diversification and market participation were positively associated with household, women, and children dietary diversity. The cultivation of pulses and fruits increased household, women, and children dietary diversity. Vegetable production and goat rearing increased household and women dietary diversity. Conclusion: Nutrition education and improving access to markets are promising strategies to improve dietary diversity at both household and individual level. Results demonstrate the value of promoting nutrition education; farm production diversity; small livestock; pulses, vegetables and fruits; crop-livestock integration; and market access for improved nutrition.

Item Type: Article
Divisions: Research Program : Innovation Systems for the Drylands (ISD)
CRP: UNSPECIFIED
Uncontrolled Keywords: Nutrition education, production diversity; commercialization; dietary diversity; Zimbabwe
Subjects: Others > Food Production
Others > Food Security
Others > African Agriculture
Others > Zimbabwe
Depositing User: Mr Ramesh K
Date Deposited: 18 May 2018 10:20
Last Modified: 29 Nov 2018 07:06
URI: http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/10674
Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.29219/fnr.v62.1276
Projects: UNSPECIFIED
Funders: UNSPECIFIED
Acknowledgement: The authors are grateful to the farmers and extension staff in the survey districts for their enthusiasm and collaboration in providing information during fieldwork. We are grateful to the UK Department for International Development through Food and Agriculture Organization for funding the research. We acknowledge the research assistants for providing constructive and very useful comments that improved the survey tool as well as collecting the data.
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