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Crop diversification, dietary diversity and agricultural income: empirical evidence from eight developing countries

Pellegrini, Lorenzo; Tasciotti, Luca

Authors

Lorenzo Pellegrini

Luca Tasciotti



Abstract

This study sheds light on the dilemma between food crop specialisation and diversification. We use data from household surveys to estimate the effects of crop diversification on nutrition (dietary diversity) and on income (crops sold) of rural households from eight developing and transition economies. We find that the vast majority of households grow crops despite the modest contribution of agriculture to income. Most agricultural land is devoted to staple food production; high-value commodities such as fruits and vegetables are also produced, but in limited quantities. Both descriptive statistics and regression results show a positive correlation between the number of crops cultivated, household income from crops and the two indicators we use for dietary diversity, also after controlling for household characteristics.

Citation

Pellegrini, L., & Tasciotti, L. (2014). Crop diversification, dietary diversity and agricultural income: empirical evidence from eight developing countries. Canadian Journal of Development Studies, 35(2), 211-227. https://doi.org/10.1080/02255189.2014.898580

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date May 20, 2014
Online Publication Date May 20, 2014
Publication Date May 20, 2014
Deposit Date Jan 15, 2017
Print ISSN 0225-5189
Electronic ISSN 2158-9100
Publisher Taylor and Francis Group
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 35
Issue 2
Pages 211-227
DOI https://doi.org/10.1080/02255189.2014.898580


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