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Aims: To study the consumption pattern and dietary diversity among the farmers in rural areas. Study Design: Random Sampling. Place and Duration of Study: Primary data were collected from the Kanyakumari and Perambalur districts of marginal and small farmers between July and August 2020. Methodology: The study was conducted in Kanyakumari and Perambalur districts based on Tamil Nadu state planning commission report 2017.The Simpson index of dietary diversity was calculated to score the quantity and consumption of food items were consumed. The multiple linear regressions were used to understand the variation of socio-economic and demographic features of the household members. Results: The overall result of the SIDD score for Kanyakumari district was 0.73 and 0.72 for Perambalur district. When compared to Perambalur district, the results clearly showed that Kanyakumari district farmers had a higher dietary diversity. Because the food habits of Kanyakumari district farmers differ significantly from those of Perambalur district farmers, owing to a higher intake of nutritious foods in Kanyakumari district farmers. Conclusion: The factors like monthly income and education most influence the household dietary pattern and nutrition status of Kanyakumari district rather than the Perambalur district.

Aims: To assess the influence of agricultural production diversity of marginal and small farmers Study Design: Purposive Random Sampling Place and Duration of Study: Kanyakumari and Perambalur districts in Tamil Nadu were purposefully chosen for the survey, which was conducted through primary data collection from July to August 2020. Methodology: According to the Tamil Nadu state planning commission report 2017, Kanyakumari and Perambalur districts were chosen at random from the top five and bottom five districts of the food security index to analyze dietary diversity. The crop diversification index was calculated using the entropy index. The Tobit model is used to investigate the impact of diverse agriculture production among marginal and small farming households. Results: The findings clearly show that, of the two districts, Perambalur has diversified more than Kanyakumari. Farmers in Perambalur district cultivate agricultural crops, whereas farmers in Kanyakumari district selected block cultivate horticultural crops, particularly plantation crops. According to the Tobit results, the number of cattle, farm size, credit available, and distance from the market all had a positive and significant influence on crop diversification. Improving female-headed household decision-making, promoting household investment and infrastructure facilities, and suggesting crop development as crop diversification measures. Conclusion: The results conclude that farmers in Perambalur district have highly diversified cropping than Kanyakumari district.