This paper investigates the associations between agricultural diversification and dietary diversity among men, women and children of farm households in Bangladesh. Using three waves of nationally representative Bangladesh Integrated Household Survey (BIHS- 2011–12, 2015 and 2018) data and a panel data model, the study found that agricultural production diversification can emphasize the dietary diversification across the life cycle of farm household members. The balanced panel data reveals that agricultural production diversification has a statistically significant and positive impact on dietary diversity of individual members (men, women and children) of farm households. Moreover, other important factors that impact on agricultural diversification and improve dietary diversity like women’s education and employment, commercialization of farm households, access to non-farm income sources, and access to information facilities also have a strong association in improving dietary status, food and nutritional security as well. Although there is currently limited diversity in the diets of adult men, women and children of rural farm households, the situation can be improved over time with proper and consistent support. The findings suggest policy interventions should target not only agricultural diversification but also improve women’s education and on and off farm employment opportunities and facilitate better access to information for rural households. These recommendations can support improved dietary diversity for all household members under different settings.

Agriculture, a cornerstone of Nepal’s economy, is dominated by smallholder farmers cultivating staple crops under resource and input constraints, leading to declining productivity amid rapid population growth and urban migration. This study explores the role of agricultural diversification in enhancing dietary diversity and improving smallholder livelihoods using panel data from the Nepal Household Risk and Vulnerability Survey (2016–2018). Analysis through the Simpson diversification index and food consumption scores reveals a strong positive correlation between agricultural diversification and dietary diversity. Key determinants include market access, irrigation systems (rainfed or canal-based), input availability (fertilizers and labor), and land type. Dry season crop diversification was positively associated with dietary diversity, while market access showed a significant negative impact on dietary diversity as distance increased. Upland areas exhibited higher potential for diversification, especially in the dry season, driven by improved access to inputs and irrigation. Policy recommendations highlight the need to enhance infrastructure in upland regions, improve market access, and ensure input availability, particularly fertilizers and labor, to support seasonal diversification. Such measures are essential for strengthening food security, nutritional diversity, and economic resilience among smallholder farmers in Nepal.

South Asia's Eastern Indo-Gangetic Plains (EIGP) is home to approximately 450 million people. This region is characterized by the highest global concentration of rural poverty and a predominant reliance on agriculture for nutritional sustenance and economic livelihoods. Agriculture in the EIGP is highly cereal-centric, making crop diversification indispensable for its development. This data article is part of the research conducted by an interdisciplinary team of researchers analysing the status and determinants of crop diversification in South Asia's EIGP. The data presented here were collected from 1,400 farm households across 72 communities in eight locations within the EIGP of India, Nepal, and Bangladesh during the year 2023. The research employed a simple random sampling method for empirical data collection. The primary agricultural decision-makers were given a tailored questionnaire comprising seven modules. These modules sought comprehensive data on livelihood practices, changes in agriculture, aspirations, diet, food security, mechanization, demographics, and asset ownership. The questionnaire was translated from English into Nepali and Bangla to facilitate a thorough understanding of the farmers' livelihoods in the study areas. The survey successfully ended with 1400 properly filled and captured questionnaires, which was quite representative. The cross-sectional data presented here describe location-specific farm-level crop distribution, enabling the analysis of geographic variations in crop diversification. The generation of this dataset addresses a significant gap in the availability of information on the current state of crop diversification in the EIGP, offering a foundational baseline for future research and interventions by regional governments and development partners. We employed the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI) to calculate crop diversification and a Tobit Regression Model to identify the region-specific determinants of crop diversification. The dataset is hereby made available as it is considered vital for regional policy and practical recommendations.