Dataset on the patterns of livelihood diversification in farming systems of the Eastern Gangetic Plains of South AsiaDataverse

The Eastern Gangetic Plains (EGP) region, characterized by smallholder-dominated farming, is experiencing rapid socio-economic and environmental changes. To enhance resilience, income stability, and food security, smallholders are increasingly diversifying their livelihoods away from traditional agr...

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Main Authors: Tamara M. Jackson, Ravi Nandi, Arifa Jannat, Arunava Ghosh, Dilip Kumar Hajra, Biplab Mitra, Md Mamunur Rashid, Sagar Bista, Anjana Chaudhary, Pragya Timsina, Emma Karki, Kali Ratan Chakma, Gunjan Rana, Avinash Kishore
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-04-01
Series:Data in Brief
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352340925001040
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author Tamara M. Jackson
Ravi Nandi
Arifa Jannat
Arunava Ghosh
Dilip Kumar Hajra
Biplab Mitra
Md Mamunur Rashid
Sagar Bista
Anjana Chaudhary
Pragya Timsina
Emma Karki
Kali Ratan Chakma
Gunjan Rana
Avinash Kishore
author_facet Tamara M. Jackson
Ravi Nandi
Arifa Jannat
Arunava Ghosh
Dilip Kumar Hajra
Biplab Mitra
Md Mamunur Rashid
Sagar Bista
Anjana Chaudhary
Pragya Timsina
Emma Karki
Kali Ratan Chakma
Gunjan Rana
Avinash Kishore
author_sort Tamara M. Jackson
collection DOAJ
description The Eastern Gangetic Plains (EGP) region, characterized by smallholder-dominated farming, is experiencing rapid socio-economic and environmental changes. To enhance resilience, income stability, and food security, smallholders are increasingly diversifying their livelihoods away from traditional agriculture. However, the patterns and drivers of this diversification remain poorly understood. This study, utilizing data from the Rupantar project, aims to elucidate these patterns, identify key drivers, and assess the impacts on productivity, profitability, nutrition, and inclusion. A mixed-methods approach was employed, including a baseline survey of 1400 households across India, Nepal, and Bangladesh and analysis using the Simpson's Index of Diversity (SID). Fractional regression models revealed moderate diversification levels across the EGP with significant geographical and contextual variability. Key drivers included access to resources, gender, education, market access, and institutional support, with differences observed across countries and diversification types. Factors such as non-ownership of irrigation pumps, female household headship, and engagement in off-farm activities were significant predictors of higher diversification. The study found that diversification can enhance income security, nutritional outcomes, and environmental sustainability, although impacts vary by diversification type.
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spelling doaj-art-94e7823f8667483c984e5b7f96d62e2b2025-08-20T02:15:37ZengElsevierData in Brief2352-34092025-04-015911137210.1016/j.dib.2025.111372Dataset on the patterns of livelihood diversification in farming systems of the Eastern Gangetic Plains of South AsiaDataverseTamara M. Jackson0Ravi Nandi1Arifa Jannat2Arunava Ghosh3Dilip Kumar Hajra4Biplab Mitra5Md Mamunur Rashid6Sagar Bista7Anjana Chaudhary8Pragya Timsina9Emma Karki10Kali Ratan Chakma11Gunjan Rana12Avinash Kishore13University of Adelaide, Adelaide, AustraliaInternational Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), Bangladesh; Corresponding author.University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia; Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, BangladeshUttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Pundibari, Coochbehar 736165, West Bengal, IndiaUttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Pundibari, Coochbehar 736165, West Bengal, IndiaUttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Pundibari, Coochbehar 736165, West Bengal, IndiaHajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, BangladeshAgricultural Knowledge Centre, Ministry of Industry, Agriculture and Cooperatives, Kosh Province, NepalInternational Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), NepalInternational Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), IndiaInternational Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), NepalInternational Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), BangladeshInternational Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), IndiaInternational Food Policy Research Institute, IndiaThe Eastern Gangetic Plains (EGP) region, characterized by smallholder-dominated farming, is experiencing rapid socio-economic and environmental changes. To enhance resilience, income stability, and food security, smallholders are increasingly diversifying their livelihoods away from traditional agriculture. However, the patterns and drivers of this diversification remain poorly understood. This study, utilizing data from the Rupantar project, aims to elucidate these patterns, identify key drivers, and assess the impacts on productivity, profitability, nutrition, and inclusion. A mixed-methods approach was employed, including a baseline survey of 1400 households across India, Nepal, and Bangladesh and analysis using the Simpson's Index of Diversity (SID). Fractional regression models revealed moderate diversification levels across the EGP with significant geographical and contextual variability. Key drivers included access to resources, gender, education, market access, and institutional support, with differences observed across countries and diversification types. Factors such as non-ownership of irrigation pumps, female household headship, and engagement in off-farm activities were significant predictors of higher diversification. The study found that diversification can enhance income security, nutritional outcomes, and environmental sustainability, although impacts vary by diversification type.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352340925001040Livelihood diversificationSmallholder farmersDatasetEastern Gangetic Plain
spellingShingle Tamara M. Jackson
Ravi Nandi
Arifa Jannat
Arunava Ghosh
Dilip Kumar Hajra
Biplab Mitra
Md Mamunur Rashid
Sagar Bista
Anjana Chaudhary
Pragya Timsina
Emma Karki
Kali Ratan Chakma
Gunjan Rana
Avinash Kishore
Dataset on the patterns of livelihood diversification in farming systems of the Eastern Gangetic Plains of South AsiaDataverse
Data in Brief
Livelihood diversification
Smallholder farmers
Dataset
Eastern Gangetic Plain
title Dataset on the patterns of livelihood diversification in farming systems of the Eastern Gangetic Plains of South AsiaDataverse
title_full Dataset on the patterns of livelihood diversification in farming systems of the Eastern Gangetic Plains of South AsiaDataverse
title_fullStr Dataset on the patterns of livelihood diversification in farming systems of the Eastern Gangetic Plains of South AsiaDataverse
title_full_unstemmed Dataset on the patterns of livelihood diversification in farming systems of the Eastern Gangetic Plains of South AsiaDataverse
title_short Dataset on the patterns of livelihood diversification in farming systems of the Eastern Gangetic Plains of South AsiaDataverse
title_sort dataset on the patterns of livelihood diversification in farming systems of the eastern gangetic plains of south asiadataverse
topic Livelihood diversification
Smallholder farmers
Dataset
Eastern Gangetic Plain
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352340925001040
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