Determinants of Food Insecurity in Pastoral and Agro-Pastoral Households of Ethiopia

Lemi Gonfa

doi:10.7176/fsqm/85-06

Abstract

Food insecurity is one of the prime challenges of Sub-Sahara African countries in general and pastoral and semi-pastoral households of Ethiopia in particular. Many researches has been investigated on food insecurity, however the problem remains still continuing especially during unfavorable climatic season. Different research findings pointed out that pastoral areas mainly characterized by unpredictable and unstable climatic conditions, as well as ecologically fragile environment. Pastoral areas are also characterized by frequent draught, conflict, flood and food insecurity as well as inadequate facilities and infrastructure. Low human development features, manifested by very low primary & secondary schools gross enrollment rate. The paper went ahead to discuss on the vulnerability of pastoral communities to food insecurity, the causes of food insecurity was reviewed from different literatures. Determinants of food insecurity in pastoral and agro-pastoral households of Ethiopia and finally indicted some policy implications. Keywords : food insecurity, pastoral DOI : 10.7176/FSQM/85-06 Publication date :March 31 st 2019

Highlights

Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for 13% of the population and 25% of the undernourished people in the developing world
Pastoral areas are characterized by frequent draught, conflict, flood and food insecurity as well as inadequate facilities and infrastructure
The problems of drought, diseases, livestock feed, institutional and policy factors, land/rangeland degradation, low agricultural productivity and other-related problems, which result in food insecurity and poverty, are severe in the lowland areas of the country in which pastoral production system is dominant

Summary

Introduction

Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for 13% of the population and 25% of the undernourished people in the developing world. According to USAID (1995) many factors interact to create food-insecure situations: chronic poverty, low agricultural productivity, high rates of population growth, civil conflict, poor infrastructure, ecological constraints, inappropriate economic policies, limited arable land and even cultural practices developed over many years.

Results

Conclusion