Farmers’ food insecurity coping strategies in the Sidama region of southern Ethiopia

Abstract

ABSTRACT The article provides evidence of farmers’ food insecurity coping strategies using interviews and household questionnaire methods. Data show that 28% in the Fero-two Peasant Association (PA) and 24% in the Hanja-Chafa PA were severely food insecure. In the respective places 26% and 37% were moderately food insecure and 46% and 40% were food secure. Farmers adopted different consumption-related and other coping strategies to food insecurity originating from social, economic, political, and environmental factors. The findings suggest that policymakers should consider the local features of a given place in designing place-specific policy interventions and resilient adaptation strategies to achieve long-term food security.