Intra-household food security among smallholder macadamia nuts and avocado farmers in Makhado and Thulamela municipalities, Limpopo Province, South Africa

Abstract

South Africa, a middle-income country is believed to be self-sufficient in food production but there is still very large inequality and a high level of poverty experienced. Nationally, many households are food secure and yet there are a lot of compromises in an individual’s food security within households. This study analysed intra-household food security amongst smallholder tree crop farmers (macadamia nuts and avocado farmers) in the Makhado and Thulamela Municipalities of Limpopo province, South Africa. A random sample of 150 smallholder tree crop farmers was purposively selected for the study. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Analytical methods employed include descriptive statistics, Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS), logistic regression model and Coping Strategy Use Index (CSUI). Descriptive analysis of respondents’ socioeconomic characteristics showed that most of the participants were males (54.7%) as compared to females (45.3%). About 73.3% of the farmers had formal education with an average age of 61 years. The result of HFIAS indicated that 54% were food secure, 24% were mildly food insecure, 15.3% were moderately food insecure and 6.7% were severely food insecure. The result of logistic regression on the determinants of food security revealed that educational level, off-farm work, and farming experience positively influenced intra-household food security. Coping strategies harnessed to minimize food insecurity include gathering wild fruits, relying on less expensive food, buying food on credit and a few indicating skipping meals. The study, therefore, recommends improvement in human capital development through education by relevant stakeholders and enhanced access to off-farm employment as this will economically improve respondents’ purchasing power thus resulting in reduced intra-food insecurity.