Abstract
This study attempts to determine the dietary diversity score for different food groups and estimates the current demand for different food groups in AJK. Data for this study was collected from 1250 households covering all 10 administrative districts of AJK by following multi-stage sampling techniques through a comprehensive interview schedule. Ten commodity groups (Wheat, Rice, Milk, Meat, Vegetables, Fruits, Pulses, Oil/Ghee, Tea and Other food were developed for analysis. Linear Approximate-Almost Ideal Demand System (LA-AIDS) model was used for estimating food demand elasticities through Zellner’s Seemingly Unrelated Regression by using STATA software. All the 10 food groups were found normal goods, except milk and fruits (income elasticity higher than unity). This implies that in future demand for milk and fruits would increase more proportionately as income would increase. The own price elasticities of all 10-food groups were also found congruent to economic theory (Wheat-0.28, Rice-0.65, Milk-0.92, Meat-0.34, Fruits-0.61, Vegetables-0.21, Pulses-0.29, Oil and ghee-0.04, Tea-0.35 and Other food-0.32). The income and own price elasticities depicted that wheat, vegetables, pulses and oil and ghee are necessities as compared to other food groups. The cross-price elasticity illustrated that rice could be a substitute for wheat and wheat for rice in the State of AJK. The Berry’s Index (82.43) depicted that food was diverse on average with a minimum Index value of 61.31. The study of different factors in relation to Berry’s Index depicted that education and income significantly and positively affect Berry’s Index while location of household in urban or rural area do not affect diversification of food. Inclusion of all necessities in Food Stamp program and Ramadan package and efforts by agriculture and livestock department regarding improved production of food commodities are recommended.
Highlights
According to UNICEF-MICS survey about 28 percent children were underweight and 37 percent children were stunted in Azad Jammu and Kashmir due to nutritional status (UNICEF 2008)
2.1 Universe and Sample Size This study was aimed to estimate dietary diversity, current food demand for AJK, consideration in heterogeneity in consumption pattern was kept in mind and project area was split in two different strata, i.e., Northern AJK and Southern AJK, as there is substantial difference in the consumption pattern between the two strata
Food diversity is adversely affected by family size means that as family size increases food diversity decreases or people with large family size restricted to specialized food groups
Summary
According to UNICEF-MICS survey about 28 percent children were underweight and 37 percent children were stunted in Azad Jammu and Kashmir due to nutritional status (UNICEF 2008). Empirical research on food consumption patterns can provide evidence on consumers’ responsiveness to price and expenditure changes that are useful in designing a country’s food policies. Estimates of price and income elasticities of different foods play key role and help in setting administered prices and help in designing policies regarding subsidy and tax policies. These policies have great impact on poverty and food security. To formulate a long-term policy for food security and poverty reduction in a developing country, there is a need to understand how different groups of households respond to changes in the prices of different foods commodities. To formulate a long-term policy for food security and poverty reduction in a developing country, there is a need to understand how different groups of households respond to changes in the prices of different foods commodities. Ali and Farooq (2004) have found that “dietary diversity improves nutritional balance of the diet, which enhances productivity through possible improvement in health”
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