Links between protein-source diversity, household behavior, and protein consumption inadequacy in the Indian rural semi-arid tropics

Kumar, S and Pramanik, S and Reardon, T and Revathi, E (2025) Links between protein-source diversity, household behavior, and protein consumption inadequacy in the Indian rural semi-arid tropics. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems (TSI), 9. 01-12. ISSN 2571-581X

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Abstract

Our study analyzes the determinants, sources, and levels of protein consumption among 785 households across nine districts in six Indian states in the semi-arid tropics. We found that 80% of these households consumed less protein than recommended and relied on cereals for 60–75% of their protein intake. Notably, even when protein-rich foods are accessible to households, they still consume them insufficiently. We found that their protein intake deficiency is driven by a lack of diversity of protein sources (in particular, legumes, millets, and livestock), as well as by a dearth of women's education and role in household decision-making and low incomes and assets. We advocate for initiatives to raise nutrition awareness, empower women, and adopt a nutrition-centric farming approach.

Item Type: Article
Divisions: Global Research Program - Enabling Systems Transformation
CRP: UNSPECIFIED
Uncontrolled Keywords: protein malnutrition, consumption determinants, household fixed effects, nutrition security, semi-arid tropics
Subjects: Others > Food and Nutrition
Others > Food Security
Depositing User: Mr Nagaraju T
Date Deposited: 05 Feb 2025 03:56
Last Modified: 05 Feb 2025 03:56
URI: http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/12933
Official URL: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sustainable-f...
Projects: CGIAR Research Science Program on Innovative Institutions and Policy for Food, Land and Water system transformation
Funders: CGIAR Fund Donors, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Feed the Future Food Systems for Nutrition Innovation Lab (FSNIL)
Acknowledgement: The authors thank R. Padmaja for her comments on the previous version of the paper. Funding from CGIAR Research Science Program on Innovative Institutions and Policy for Food, Land and Water system transformation through CGIAR Fund Donors and bilateral funding agreements; Feed the Future Food Systems for Nutrition Innovation Lab (FSNIL), and Longitudinal household data collected with financial support from Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) is well acknowledged.
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