Determinants of Food Security and Dietary Diversity Among Small Scale Rice Farmers in Dinajpur District of Bangladesh

Abstract

Agriculture plays a crucial role in food security and economic stability in developing nations like Bangladesh by enhancing food availability and household income. The study examines the socioeconomic conditions of 399 small scale rice farmers, analyzing factors such as age, education, household size, farm size, and access to markets, credit, and agricultural information. Results indicate that larger household sizes negatively impact dietary diversity, while both income diversification (measured by the Simpson Diversification Index) and crop diversification (measured by the Crop Diversification Index) positively affect dietary diversity and reduce food insecurity. Specifically, income diversification shows a significant positive correlation with dietary diversity but also a slight increase in food insecurity, possibly due to reliance on diverse low-income sources. Crop diversification significantly enhances dietary diversity and decreases food insecurity. Key determinants of food security include household size, income and crop diversification, market access, and agricultural information. Membership in organizations and proximity to markets also influence food security, highlighting the complex interplay of various socioeconomic factors. The findings emphasize the importance of diversified farming practices and income sources in improving food security among small-scale farmers. This study provides insights into policy interventions needed to support agricultural diversification and socioeconomic development in rural Bangladesh.

Keywords: Crop diversification, Dietary diversity score (DDS), Food security, Rice farmers