Agricultural intervention through farming systems research in India has been largely focused on enhancing production, productivity and profitability of crop and animal resources without much emphasis on better nutritional outcomes. In Odisha, paddy-livestock, paddy-vegetables and paddy-fishery are among the important farming systems followed in its ten agro-climatic zones, which is an indicative of nutritional security in the state. In this context, this study has, conducted during 2014–15, covering all agro-climatic zones of Odisha, has been undertaken to find out (i) the percentage contribution of rice, fruits and vegetable, livestock and fishery to the food basket of households, and (ii) the extent of diversification across various agro-enterprises in Odisha. Using Harfindahal index, the study has found paddy to be least diversified and livestock and fishery to be most diversified followed by fruits and vegetables. The study has suggested that people in Odisha can achieve nutritional security by adopting different food-based cropping systems, dietary diversification, and food habits.
Farming systems, agricultural diversification, dietary diversification, Odisha
