Agricultural Production Diversity and Market Access: Implications for DietaryDiversity among Smallholder Farm Households in Cameroon
| dc.contributor.author | Anchang Juliana Adjem | |
| dc.contributor.author | Meliko Majory | |
| dc.contributor.author | Uwem Essia | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2026-03-02T11:03:39Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2026-03-02T11:03:39Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2026 | |
| dc.description.abstract | Overnutrition, overweight, and obesity as consequences of nutrition transition are a growing concern of public policy in less developed countries, where it poses a triple burden even to rural areas battling with undernutrition and micronutrient deficiencies. The complex link between agriculture and nutritional outcomes has been well established. However, studies often overlook key socio-cultural dimensions of nutrition outcomes in the context of the nutrition transition and the increasing triple burden of malnutrition in rural agricultural communities. This study seeks to investigate the implications of agricultural production diversity on dietary diversity in rural smallholder farm households. We hypothesize that in addition to the contribution of production diversity and the mediating role of market access, socio-cultural factors have a significant influence on household dietary diversity and quality. Data was obtained from a cross-sectional survey of smallholder farm households in the Southwest Region, Cameroon, from 2018 to 2019. The effect of agricultural production diversity and better market access was estimated to be positive using both Generalised Poisson regression and Instrumental Variable two Stage Least Square or Instrumental Variable Poisson models. While better market access plays a positive and significant role in nutrition security and diet quality for smallholder farm households, we found that agricultural production diversity has a greater positive effect on diet outcomes than market access. Similarly, households with women empowerment indicators and better knowledge on nutrition were associated with better diet outcomes. We found a greater proportion of households with unfavourable attitudes relating to socio-cultural norms and perception. We posit that agricultural and food policies and investments should adopt an integrated approach that aligns with societal and cultural needs in promoting market access and encouraging more nutritious food choices to effectively and sustainably tackle challenges to poor nutrition. However, longitudinal studies are essential and will provide rigour on the role agricultural production diversity plays in the nutritional and health status of rural households in Cameroon. | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://publication.aercafricalibrary.org/handle/123456789/4088 | |
| dc.publisher | AERC | |
| dc.title | Agricultural Production Diversity and Market Access: Implications for DietaryDiversity among Smallholder Farm Households in Cameroon |