Impact of crop diversification on dietary diversity and calorie intake of farm households in Yamethin District, Central Dry Zone, Myanmar

Farm households in Myanmar are practicing diversification of crops as a strategy to reduce the likelihood of crop failure and meet their household’s dietary and calorie needs. This study aims to evaluate how crop diversification affects the dietary diversity and calorie intake of farm households in Myanmar. The farm household survey was carried out with 282 farm households in Yamethin District, utilizing structured questionnaires that included crop production, food group items, and food intake of farm households. Crop diversification level was determined using Simpson's diversification index, and the difference in dietary diversity intakes of farm households was measured using the Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS) method, which is based on seven food groups. Pearson’s correlation analysis was also used to measure the association between the level of crop diversification, and dietary diversity as well as calorie intake of farm households. The study revealed that crop diversification has a positive relationship with own production ratio, HDDS, and calorie intake of farm households. The findings indicate that farm households in Yamethin District should emphasize utilizing improved crop varieties in addition to varying their cropping patterns in order to meet their dietary and calorie needs. Additionally, this study emphasizes the necessity for the distribution of resistant crop varieties and provision of extension services by the government of Myanmar.