Constraints Influencing the Adoption of Nutrition Sensitive Agricultural Practices among Tribal Farmers in Koraput District of Odisha

Abstract

Nutrition-sensitive agriculture (NSA) is a valuable approach to addressing malnutrition by linking agricultural production with nutritional outcomes. Despite government programmes promoting nutrition-sensitive interventions, adoption among tribal farming communities remains limited by socioeconomic, operational, economic, and technological constraints. This study identified and analysed the constraints perceived by tribal farmers in adopting nutrition-sensitive agricultural practices in Koraput district, Odisha. An ex post facto research design was used, and primary data were collected from 202 tribal farmers selected through multistage sampling from Koraput, Jeypore, and Semiliguda blocks. The Garrett Ranking Technique was applied to rank constraints according to respondents’ perceptions. Inadequate landholding for adopting nutrition-sensitive agricultural practices was the most important operational constraint (Garrett mean score = 77.02). Among socioeconomic constraints, low literacy among tribal farmers ranked first (Garrett mean score = 77.35), followed by inadequate awareness of balanced diets. Poor household economic conditions were the principal economic constraint (Garrett mean score = 66.69), limiting farmers’ capacity to invest in diversified farming systems. Among technological constraints, inadequate sensitisation regarding nutritional security among key village-level stakeholders ranked highest (Garrett mean score = 70.02), indicating gaps in extension and education efforts. The findings suggest that effective adoption of nutrition-sensitive agricultural practices requires an integrated approach combining agricultural extension, nutrition education, financial support, market development, and institutional coordination. Strengthening farmers’ awareness, access to productive resources, and community-based nutrition initiatives may improve adoption and household nutritional security in tribal areas of Odisha.