Determinants of Rural Household Food Insecurity : The Case of Menz-Gera District of Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia

doi:10.7176/fsqm/112-02

Abstract

The paper examined the extent of and factors associated with households’ food insecurity in Menz Gera District using 150 randomly selected sample households. Household Calorie Acquisition (HCA), the amount of calories consumed via the household during the last seven days, has been used to measure the extent of household food insecurity. And 2200Kcal/day per adult equivalent was used as a food security line. The incidence, gap, and severity of the households’ food insecurity were computed using the FGT food insecurity induces, and results in 84.7, 41.7, and 25.4 percent, respectively. Factors associated with the extent of the households’ food insecurity were estimated using the Tobit regression model. Sex of the household head, family size, farm size, irrigation access, non/off-farm income participation, number of oxen, livestock holding, extension contact, and distance from main market center were statistically significant determinants. Therefore, the study recommended that special emphasis should be given in the area through the identified factors to eradicate the widespread food insecurity situation. Keywords: Menz Gera, food insecurity, HCA, FGT, Tobit DOI: 10.7176/FSQM/112-02 Publication date: January 31 st 2022

Highlights

Realizing food security for all people at all times keeps on becoming a development challenge throughout the world especially for many developing countries like Ethiopia
The determinants of food insecurity are multidimensional and complex
2,200 kcal per day per adult equivalent was used as a threshold to discern the food insecure from food secure

Summary

Introduction

Food security assumed to exist “when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life” (FAO, 1996). The determinants of food insecurity are multidimensional (this is due to unavailability of food, lack of access or resources, improper utilization and instability over a certain period time) and complex. It may occur at multiple levels (it can be global, regional, national, community, household, and individual levels), and include poverty, social and economic disadvantage, individual characteristics and the political and social environments. Food insecurity can affect all stages of the lifespan resulting in poor dietary intakes and negative health consequences (Weinreb, et al, 2002; Alain, 2013; FAO, 2015)

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