Impact of climate variability on household food security in Godere District, Gambella Region, Ethiopia

Abstract

Agriculture and food security are most vulnerable to climate variability and extremes. Climate variability and extremes increased the risks of food security in Gambella region. The study examines the impact of climate variability on household food security in Godere district, Ethiopia. In this research data were collected from different set of sources using various tools such as questionnaire survey, key informant interview, and focus group discussion. Meteorological data from Ethiopian National Meteorological Agency were also used. Rotated Empirical Orthogonal Function (REOF) was used to investigate the spatio-temporal variation of rainfall, whereas, household data were analysed using correlation, percentage, mean and binary logistic regression. Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) tool was used to determine household food security status. The result reveals that the study site has experienced spatio-temporal rainfall variability with various degrees and widespread household food insecurity. The result shows that 11.2% and 88.8% of the sample households were food secure and food insecure respectively. The HFIAS result shows the households’ food insecurity ranges from severe (17.2%) to moderate (19%) and mild (17.2%) levels. The study concludes unfavourable climatic conditions combined with the lack of necessary households’ resource endowments, adversely affects the household’s food security. We argue that ensuring the household's food security status requires attention towards mitigating climate shocks and improving households’ access to basic infrastructure services and facilities.