Role of Home Production and Markets in Quality Food Consumption in Bihar

Promoting micronutrient-rich diverse diets through quality foods in the population entails a deep-dive analysis into what people eat, why they eat it and where it came from; a study in Bihar state of India explored agricultural-nutrition linkages to improve local availability and market accessibility of quality foods (egg, chicken, pulses). Data on household food consumption and expenditure was obtained from 2026 rural households in 2 Bihar districts. The sample households included producers and non-producers of quality food. Data on food from own-production, types of markets accessed, decision-making in production and purchase were obtained. Preliminary findings from the comparison of quality food intakes and market purchase across producer and non-producer categories are presented. Pulses were consumed in all households; chicken and egg were consumed only in 62.5% and 38.7% of households respectively. The per capita pulse intake was higher in pulse-producing households; around 63%, 96% and 91% households predominantly sourced pulses, chicken and eggs from the market. However, pulse consumption was only half of the recommended intake for Indians. Households with monthly per capita expenditure above the median reported higher per capita intakes of pulses, eggs and chicken compared to households below the median. Majority of the households reported chicken consumption on a monthly basis, with affordability as a major barrier in consumption; 75% of the households purchased chicken from markets outside their village and 45% of those purchased it from town markets, located at a median distance of 3 km. Eggs were mostly purchased in a village store. These preliminary findings support evidence from other studies that markets contribute towards household diets, even in subsistence-oriented settings. While affordability continues to remain a major barrier in improving quality food intake, poor market accessibility also hinders consumption. Interestingly, chicken was consumed more widely than eggs, highlighting the necessity to understand drivers of food preferences before recommending policies to improve nutritious food intake. Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.