Horn Economic and Social Policy Institute

BackgroundUndernutrition is a significant challenge in Ethiopia, where limited dietary diversity and widespread micronutrient deficiencies affect millions, especially women of reproductive age. Although much research has explored dietary gaps and practices, the impact of the food environment (FE) on diet quality remains understudied. This study examines how FE factors influence dietary quality, using a food systems approach to inform sustainable nutrition policies.MethodsA cross-sectional survey of 1,828 households was utilized to assess women’s dietary quality using Poisson regression, with food environment (FE) components and socioeconomic variables predicting four indicators: women’s diet diversity score (WDDS), fruit and vegetable score (FVS), global dietary quality score (GDQS), and household diet diversity score (HDDS).ResultsDietary diversity was low, with fewer than 20% of women meeting the minimum recommendation; however, improvement was observed with higher quality food environments (FE). Starchy staples dominated consumption across all FE, while pulses and dark green leafy vegetables increased in households with medium and high FE. Low household dietary diversity (average 6.23) and a GDQS of 20.7 (far below the maximum of 49) indicate widespread deficiency. Poisson regression (adjusted for socioeconomic covariates) showed that a high FE score significantly predicted better diet quality compared to a low FE score: 27% higher WDDS (exp(β) = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.22–1.32, p < 0.001), 43% higher FVS (exp(β) = 1.43, 95% CI: 1.33–1.54, p < 0.001), 5% higher GDQS (exp(β) = 1.05, 95% CI: 1.02–1.08, p < 0.001), and 48% higher HDDS (exp(β) = 1.48, 95% CI: 1.43–1.54, p < 0.001). The results demonstrate consistent and significant associations between higher food environment (FE) scores and improved diet quality across all four dietary metrics.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates the critical influence of food environments—encompassing market food diversity, physical access (e.g., food availability), economic access (e.g., affordability), and supportive infrastructure (e.g., roads, transportation, financial services)—on improving dietary quality among Ethiopian women and household food security. High food prices, socioeconomic disparities, and regional variations limit access to nutrient-rich foods (e.g., fruits, vegetables, animal-sourced products), particularly for low-income households. To enhance dietary quality and health outcomes, policymakers should prioritize interventions that expand diverse food markets, strengthen rural infrastructure (roads, transportation), and improve affordability through targeted economic support and price stabilization, ensuring equitable access to nutritious foods.Trial registrationNot applicable.

In Ethiopia rice crop is considered as a strategic food security crop which is expected to contribute to ensuring food security in the country. Bennch Sheko Zone is one of the major rice growing areas in the South Western Regional State. The study was conducted with specific objectives to investigate factors affecting smallholder farmers' market supply of rice and identify constraints related to rice production in the study area. Two-stage sampling technique was employed to select 119 representative rice-producer households. Descriptive statistics and appropriate econometric models were used to analyze the collected data. Multiple linear regression model used to analyze factors affecting rice market supply. Descriptive result of the study showed, the average annual rice production at the household level was 2.8 tons, of which 70% was supplied to the market. Econometric result showed farm size owned, credit use, annual income, number of oxen owned, and quantity of rice produced were found to be significantly affecting the market supply of rice in a district. Major constraints related to rice production in the district were a lack of proper weed management practices, improved seed, proper method and time of fertilizer application, weak institutional support, disease, and post-harvest handling problems were also important. The research findings suggest that attention should be given to rice production constraints through generation and wide demonstration of demand-driven rice production and post-harvest handling technologies for increased production and productivity to have a better market supply of rice to the market and benefit smallholder farmers.