Rising micronutrient deficiencies threaten the well-being of preschool-aged children, as is the case for disadvantaged farmers in Madagascar. However, effective interventions to improve their nutritional status are still unknown. This study investigates the disjointed link between agriculture -food/nutrition security and food/nutrition security -nutritional status through a dual approach. Using a panel dataset, our result supports the link between production diversity -dietary diversity, and dietary diversity -improvement in children's wasting. Importantly, the finding highlights an association of own production of pulse with energy/micronutrient intake and that of energy/zinc intake with the reduction of undernourished and stunted child, respectively.
Despite the increasing economic and nutritional importance of vegetables in Madagascar, empirical evidence remains largely scarce. The objective of this study is thus to examine the impact of vegetable production on smallholder farmers' welfare and nutrition in the central highlands of Madagascar. Using yearly cross-sectional data, results reveal a positive association between market-oriented vegetable production and household's welfare and dietary diversity, which indicates such vegetable production is income generating while allowing farmers to diversify their nutritional intake. However, no evidence is found for less market-oriented households. Policy recommendations should emphasize on commercial vegetable-related strategies, farmers' skills and market access.
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