Strengthening Rural Ugandan Diets Through Improved Market Food Environments
Date
2026
Authors
Racheal Namulondo
Bernard Bashaasha
Rosemary Isoto Emegu
Edgar Agaba
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
AERC
Abstract
In addition to own production, rural populations in SSA are acquiring an increasing part of their food from local markets, making the market food environment an important contributor to household diet diversity.
• The limited food variety that characterizes rural food markets, in Uganda, translates to limited diet diversity with households characteristically consuming items from two staple food groups only.
• Availability of a variety of food in nearby/village markets positively influences rural household food purchase diversity.
• Policy support should encourage increased - production of non-staple foods for the rural markets and market participation. But since rural households depend largely on staple foods, interventions should be focused on increasing production and sell of nutrient-dense staples, for instance, throu