Perceived Nutritional Constraints and Preferred Interventions among Farm Women: Evidence from Mahbubnagar District, Telangana

Abstract

Adequate nutrition is essential for maintaining the health, productivity, and well-being of farm women; however, several socio-economic and behavioural factors limit their access to nutritious foods. The study undertaken during 2025, examined the constraints affecting nutritious food consumption and identified suitable interventions among 180 farm women in Mahbubnagar district, Telangana. A descriptive research design was adopted, and respondents were selected through a multistage random sampling technique. The identified constraints and suggestions were prioritised using the Rank-Based Quotient (RBQ) method. The findings revealed that low income was the most significant constraint, followed by family priority, low literacy, inadequate nutrition education, gender norms, traditional food habits, and limited availability of nutritious foods. Farm women identified greater participation in household food-related decision-making, community-based nutrition education, promotion of nutrient-rich kitchen gardens, and balanced dietary practices as the most effective strategies. These findings provide valuable insights for developing nutrition-sensitive interventions and policies to improve dietary diversity and nutritional well-being among rural farm women.