Household food security and dietary diversity in the context of an agricultural and market development program in Guatemala

Abstract

WFP's Purchase for Progress (P4P) is a pilot program that enhances agricultural productivity and access to markets among low‐income farmers. We compared food security and dietary diversity between P4P beneficiaries and a control group. We evaluated household conditions, food security (ELCSA), and dietary diversity in 372 households (271 P4P; 101 control) using a cross‐sectional design and mixed‐methods. Most Significant Change methodology was used to characterize participants’ experiences. Education level (EL), number of children (NC), household quality (HQS), food security (FSS), carotenoid‐rich foods (VAS), and dietary diversity for households (HDDS), women (WDDS), children (IDDS), and normalized (HDDSn) were calculated. P4P participants were less food insecure (FSS=7.4±4.4, 9.2±3.1; p<0.01), and had increased dietary diversity (HDDS=8.9±1.8, 7.0±1.8; p<0.01), HDDSn, WDDS, IDDS, and VAS (p<0.01) than controls. For P4P, FSS was associated with EL (r=0.23, p<0.05); and HDDS with EL (r=0.23, p<0.05) and NC (r=−0.17). For controls, FSS was associated (p<0.05) with HDDS (r=0.53), HQS (r=0.61), and NC (r=−0.23). Women empowerment, intra‐household dynamics, higher crop productivity and technical knowledge were dominant themes among P4P beneficiaries. P4P program has a positive effect on food security and dietary diversity, which are perceived as important elements in improving livelihoods.Grant Funding Source: Ayre international research fellowship (JRL), Hatch (JEA), USDA‐ISE (WGH, NJE, and JEA)