Enhancing Dietary Diversity and Nutritional Security Through Farm Production Diversity: Evidence From Rain-Fed Regions in Southern Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

Farm production diversity is widely recognized as a critical factor in enhancing household dietary quality, yet limited empirical evidence exists on its role in addressing food and nutrition security among smallholder farmers in Pakistan, particularly in rain-fed regions. These areas face unique challenges, including climate variability, water scarcity, and economic vulnerability, which exacerbate food and nutrition insecurity. Existing studies largely focus on other regions or contexts and often fail to capture the nuanced relationship between farm production diversity and dietary outcomes in areas with constrained market access. This study investigates the impact of farm production diversity on household dietary diversity in three rain-fed regions of southern Punjab: Layyah, Bhakkar, and Khushab. Using data from 450 smallholder households collected through a multi-stage sampling technique, we assess dietary outcomes such as calorie intake, micronutrient consumption, and dietary diversity scores. The study analysis incorporates production diversity indicators and regression models to examine the link between farm diversification and household nutrition, while accounting for the role of market access and climate variability. The findings confirm that farm production diversity significantly enhances dietary diversity and nutrition security, particularly when coupled with improved market access. This study offers novel contributions by providing context-specific insights for rain-fed agricultural systems and highlighting actionable pathways for policy interventions. To enhance dietary quality and mitigate food insecurity, policymakers should prioritize initiatives to strengthen market access, promote the adoption of climate-resilient farming systems, and encourage the integration of diverse, nutrient-rich crops into agricultural practices.