Scouting protein consumption behavior of rural households in semi-arid India and strategies for strengthening agriculture– nutrition linkages

Understanding the drivers of household nutrition is intermediated by a complex association of multiple variables including the landholding size, gender dynamics in the decision regarding food priorities, disposable income, availability and access to nutritious food and effect of current farming systems. This paper investigates into this complex of livelihoods, agriculture and nutrition by assessing the protein deficiency at household-level in the semi-arid tropics of India. For the purpose, we use panel data on 800 farm households for 2011 and 2014, collected by the ICRISAT under the VDSA project from nine districts across six states. The findings show average daily protein intake of households is significantly lower than its recommended level. A key factor that explains protein deficiency is the size of consumption unit. Accessibility and affordability are essential but not sufficient conditions for protein consumption. The deficient intake of protein is explained by different sets of determinants, and suggests a need to transform food systems taking into context-specificities. Pulses, millets and livestock products can make important contributions towards healthier diets. Such food systems interventions require a convergence of technical innovation and institutional arrangements. Nutrition sensitization and awareness programmes as well as greater efforts to promote gender equity besides farming systems for nutrition models could contribute towards better nutrition security in the semi-arid regions.