Improving Household Food Diversity via Non-Farming Livelihoods in Vietnam

Food insecurity remains a persistent challenge in rural Vietnam despite economic growth, particularly among rice-producing households. The study aims to assess how participating in non-agricultural activities impacts the diversity of food available in Vietnam. The study used a combination of Propensity Score Matching (PSM) and fixed-effects estimators to control bias from variable selection and unobservable time-invariant factors. In addition, the heteroscedasticity-based instrumental variable (IV) approach was established to check the above relationship. Results from the study reveal that engaging in non-farm activities significantly boosts the diversity of food within rural Vietnamese households. This suggests that rural households could enhance their livelihood strategies by diversifying into non-agricultural pursuits. To facilitate this transition, policy interventions such as workshops, seminars, and vocational training programs should be tailored to the specific socioeconomic characteristics of rural Vietnam.