Consumption of protein-rich food items: effect of cattle ownership and land-use consolidation

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the frequency of protein-rich food consumption among impoverished rural households in Rwanda. Data from the Rwanda Institute of Statistics, gathered nationally from a random sample of 9,709 households in 2018, was utilized for a comprehensive analysis of the food security and vulnerability survey. Given the dependent variable’s nature, a diverse econometric approach was employed to identify the factors influencing the weekly consumption of key protein-rich foods (milk, meat, and beans) in Rwandan families. An instrumental variable technique was applied to assess the impact of a unified land use policy on the consumption of protein-rich foods in Rwandan households, considering the lack of a direct relationship with welfare outcomes in theory. The results indicate that land consolidation significantly influences the consumption of meat and pulses. Additionally, cattle ownership has a notable impact on milk and pulse intake. In light of these findings, we recommend that the government and development partners enhance support for farmers, particularly by providing subsidized farm inputs and increasing the distribution of cattle to eligible low-income households.