The role of farm production diversity in enhancing dietary diversity and food security in Southern Bangladesh

Abstract

Farm production diversification is widely recognized as a promising pathway to enhance household dietary diversity and food security, though its effectiveness varies across ecological and socioeconomic contexts. This study investigates the relationship between farm production diversity and household dietary diversity and food security in five climate-vulnerable districts of southern Bangladesh. Data were collected from 768 households between April and June 2023 using structured surveys stratified by salinity zones. Dietary diversity was measured through household dietary diversity scores and food variety scores, while food insecurity was assessed using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale. Farm production diversity was quantified by the number of food groups produced, the Shannon diversity index, and food crop diversity. Poisson and ordered probit regression models were applied to estimate associations, controlling for market access, off-farm household income, household demographics, and environmental factors. The results reveal that greater production diversity is modestly but significantly associated with improved dietary diversity and reduced food insecurity, particularly in low and medium salinity zones. In high salinity areas, these associations were weaker or statistically insignificant, likely reflecting environmental constraints limiting production options. Market access, off-farm household income, education, and household size also played significant roles. These findings underscore the need for context-specific strategies that integrate production diversification with climate-resilient technologies, livelihood diversification, and improved market access to strengthen food security in climate-vulnerable rural communities.