Agriculture, Collective Action and Nutrition: Meeting the Challenges in Bihar

Malnutrition presents a worldwide dilemma, carrying substantial social and economic burdens; virtually every nation contends with a public health issue stemming from inadequate nutrition, excessive weight, or deficiencies in essential nutrients. Malnutrition emerges as a multifaceted challenge, influenced by intricate interactions among household and personal choices, agricultural, and food systems. This paper examines the relationship between the theory of collective action and nutrition, and how collective action impacts farmer households’ nutrition. It discusses the role of Farmer Producer Organisations (collective action) in addressing malnutrition and enhancing agricultural productivity through community-based interventions. The paper concludes by outlining recommendations derived from this study, focusing on knowledge dissemination, political and policy considerations, and capacity building. Additionally, it emphasises the necessity of reviewing existing literature to comprehend the nutritional effects of collective action, and it conducts a systematic review to investigate dietary implications associated with this collective action.