Household Farm Production Diversity and Micronutrient Intake: Where Are the Linkages? Panel Data Evidence from Uganda

Haruna Sekabira, Shamim Nalunga, Yves Didier Umwungerimwiza, Lydia Nazziwa and Stanley Peter Ddungu
Additional contact information
Haruna Sekabira: International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Kacyiru, KG 563 Street #3, Kigali P.O. Box 1269, Rwanda
Shamim Nalunga: Department of Agricultural Research, LADS Consult, Kampala P.O. Box 7106, Uganda
Yves Didier Umwungerimwiza: Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Rwanda, Kigali P.O. Box 7279, Rwanda
Lydia Nazziwa: Department of Agricultural Research, LADS Consult, Kampala P.O. Box 7106, Uganda
Stanley Peter Ddungu: Department of Agricultural Research, LADS Consult, Kampala P.O. Box 7106, Uganda

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 7, 1-21

Abstract: Hunger and malnutrition are key global challenges whose understanding is instrumental to their elimination, thus realization of important sustainable development goals (SDGs). However, understanding linkages between farm production diversity (FPD) and household micronutrient intake is important in mapping micronutrient deficiencies and hidden hunger. Such understanding would inform appropriate interventions against malnutrition. Unfortunately, empirical literature is scarce to sufficiently inform such understanding. Using nationally representative panel survey data covering about 3300 households, we study linkages between FPD and nutrition, and associated impact pathways. We analyze data using panel regression models. Results show that at least half of sample was deficient in daily energy, iron, zinc, and vitamin A intake vis-à-vis FAO recommendations. Deficiencies were most severe (85%) with vitamin A. Positive and significant associations (about 1% for each added crop/livestock species) exist between FPD and daily household energy, iron, zinc, and vitamin A intake. FPD impacts energy and micronutrient intake via two main consumption pathways; markets (about 0.01% for each shilling), and own farm production (about 0.1% for each shilling). Therefore, own farm production yields better outcomes. Gender effects also exist. Male-headed households exhibited better nutrition outcomes (energy—11%, iron—8%, and zinc—12%) mostly via markets. Effects on Vitamin A were also positive although insignificant.

Keywords: farm production diversity; panel data; nutrition; energy; iron; zinc; vitamin A; Uganda (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/7/4041/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/7/4041/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:7:p:4041-:d:530528

Access Statistics for this article

Sustainability is currently edited by Ms. Alexandra Wu

More articles in Sustainability from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().