Impact of Nutrition-Sensitive Integrated Farming Systems Model in Improving Diet Diversity among Mothers, Pregnant Women and Adolescent Girls: A Cross-sectional Study from Bihar, India

Abstract Introduction: Nutrition gardens at the household level have emerged as an effective strategy, contributing to nutrition security, particularly in rural settings. The paper presents the impact of Nutrition-Sensitive Integrated Farming Systems (NSIFS) model implemented under Swabhimaan (2016–2020) programme by Bihar State Rural Livelihoods Mission (JEEViKA) with support from UNICEF in increasing dietary diversity amongst women and adolescent girls. Materials and Methods: A series of cross-sectional surveys (2016–2021) were conducted in Kasba and Jalalgarh blocks in Purnea district of Bihar, India, using the difference-in-difference technique and 24-h recall method. It showed a positive association between promotion of the household NSIFS model and improved Dietary Diversity Scores (DDS) among adolescent girls (10–19 years), pregnant women (15–49 years), and mothers of children under 2 years. The manuscript was prepared in accordance with the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines. Results: From Baseline to Endline survey, adolescent girls with minimum DDS increased from 12.3% to 50.0%, pregnant women with high DDS from 13.6% to 52.8% and mothers of children under 2 years from 9.2% to 50.0%. Conclusion: The findings recommend a gradual scaling up of the NSIFS model with community-led behaviour change interventions for enhancing dietary diversity and nutrition outcomes.