Undernutrition and low dietary quality remain widespread challenges in Africa, which is why researchers advocate farmers grow a wide variety of crops on their farms to improve diet diversity. However, a new study suggests that good access to regional markets is more important to achieving a balanced diet for small farmers in low- and middle-income countries. The authors highlight that better-functioning markets increase the variety of foods available locally, which benefits the population as a whole. They conclude that “higher diversity on each individual farm may not be required.”
