Level Of Food Security Research Articles

Financial literacy, financial inclusion, and food security: A comparative analysis of green and blue economy in the poorest region of Luzon, Philippines

<p align="justify">The study aims to analyze the differences and influences of financial literacy and financial inclusion on food security in the green and blue economies of San Jose, Camarines Sur, located within the poorest region of Luzon, Philippines. The research also seeks to determine the levels of financial literacy, inclusion, and food security among specific members of each economy, namely rice farmers in the green economy and fisherfolk in the blue economy. This study employs a causal-comparative research design utilizing weighted mean, Kruskal-Walli’s test, and multivariate linear regression to assess the levels, variances, and impacts of financial literacy, inclusion, and food security. The findings indicate that both the green and blue economies exhibit low levels of financial literacy, as individuals struggle to apply their knowledge and skills to their attitudes and behaviors. Furthermore, given that many rice farmers and a majority of fisherfolk reside in remote areas away from urban centers, they encounter challenges in accessing and effectively utilizing financial services and products. Additionally, due to their informal income status, they experience transient food insecurity. The study highlights a significant difference in financial literacy, particularly in terms of behavior and attitude, attributed to variations in income patterns. Disparities in financial inclusion are observed concerning access, usage, quality, and well-being, stemming from geographical and systemic obstacles such as the coastal isolation of the blue economy and institutional barriers faced by both groups. The research concludes that financial literacy and financial inclusion play significant roles in influencing food security, with their effects varying across specific dimensions of each variable.</p>

Transformation of agriculture to inland aquaculture in the coastal plains of West Bengal, India.

Traditional agriculture has a notable shift towards inland aquaculture driven by geo-environmental hazards and socio-economic choices. This shift is crucial for ensuring economic resiliency and food security. Therefore, the present study examines the transformation of agricultural land to inland aquaculture among the three community development (C.D.) blocks Egra-II, Patashpur-I, and Moyna of Purba Medinipur district in West Bengal, India, from 1990 to 2020. The expansion of aquacultural land and future prediction for 2030 has been executed using Landsat data and the Markov chain model. The results exhibit that the cultivated area (29.3 km2) has been converted into inland aquaculture for Moyna followed by Egra-II (20.61 km2) and Patashpur-I (15. 04 km2) during the period of 1990-2020. Thus, the rapid agricultural land transformation into inland aquaculture has been discussed from the perspective of push factors of geo-environmental hazards such as riverine floods, stagnation of water and riverbank migration, and pull factors of socio-economic drivers such as higher benefit-cost ratio from the inland aquaculture compared to conventional agriculture and role of microfinance and self-help groups. The field survey grounds that the per capita income of the study villages (e.g., Dakshin Chanra Chak, Gokulpur, Dubda) having positive transformation are found to record an escalating income portfolio (INR 2500-3000 in 2000 to 5000-7000 in 2022-23; 1 USD = INR 82.24 on 31 July 2023) while the villages (e.g., Dobandi, Kulrakhi, Nayapara) having negative transformation are found to register a relatively stable income profile (INR 2500-3000 in 2000 to 4000-5000 in 2022-23). An increasing trend of per capita income is found to induce a higher level of food security in the positive transformation area. Therefore, the present study would be useful to address the food security and future challenges due to the land transformation.

Constructing a composite index to evaluate multidimensional variations in food security over different regions.

Understanding food security level on a large scale is crucial for grasping global food security and issuing timely warnings about regional food systemsrisks. Current regional spatiotemporal distribution and multidimensional comparisons of global food security are insufficient. Therefore, this paper proposed a weighting technique combing the subjective AHP method with the objective CRITIC method, and developed a new composite index to measure food securitymultidimensionally. Using the food security composite index (FSCI), this study explored the spatiotemporal evolution of food security in different dimensions at both global and regional levels, based on panel data from 2001 to 2020.The variation of FSCI remained stable in the quantity dimension across all regions, with significant improvements in economic security observed in Europe and Latin America and Caribbean, and Asia showed an upward trend in resource dimension. Compared to the global average, Europe had a pronounced advantage, whereas Sub-Saharan Africa had a significant disadvantage.

Household food security of women farming group members in city and village during the Covid-19 pandemic in Lampung Province

Abstract This research aims to analyse the food security level and the influencing factors on household (HH) food security level of the Women Farming Group (WFG) members in the City and Village in Lampung Province. The village of Sumber Agung, Kemiling District, Bandar Lampung City and The Village of Giri Tunggal, North Pagelaran District, Pringsewu Regency were chosen as the research location. There were 60 HHs of WFG member involved as research samples. Data collection was carried out in 2021 when the Covid-19 pandemic was still occurring. The FSL in this study was analysed by cross-classifying between the level of energy adequacy and the percentage of food expenditure. Factors affecting HHs’ food security level were analysed using the logit loglinear analysis. The results showed that both in the city and in the village the majority of HHs (>50%) were categorized as food secure. Some HHs were less food secure (30%), vulnerable (10%) and food insecure (7%) in the city, while in the village there were HHs that are food vulnerable (37%). Factors that affect FSL were the quantity of HHsʼ members, the tempeh price, age of wife and location.

ANALISIS KETAHANAN PANGAN DAN KESEJAHTERAAN PETANI BERBASIS PRODUKSI SORGUM PADA LAHAN MARGINAL DI LOMBOK TIMUR

Food security is an effort to fulfill basic food needs. Therefore, local food production, specifically sorghum, needs to be increased to enhance national food diversification. Sorghum is one of the agricultural commodities with potential for cultivation as an alternative food source besides rice and corn. The purpose of this study is to determine the level of local food security for sorghum and the welfare level of sorghum farmers in Jerowaru District, East Lombok Regency. The research was conducted in Pemongkong Village, Jerowaru District, East Lombok Regency. The tool used in the research was a questionnaire with a sample size of 30 respondents. The research area was determined deliberately (Purposive Method) with sampling techniques using random sampling. To measure the welfare level of sorghum farmers, a 5-point Likert scale was used, which was then scored using the composite method. The IKP (Food Security Index) per hectare was 1.28, indicating that sorghum production per hectare is more than sufficient to meet the family's food needs. An IKP greater than 1 suggests that the family's food security can be met or even exceed their basic needs. However, while the IKP indicates food sufficiency for the family, the Food Security Ratio (RKP), calculated from the ratio between KP and the total food needs across all food types (rice, maize, sorghum), shows a lower value. For per hectare, the RKP is only 0.25, which means that sorghum production can only fulfill about 25% of the total food needs that include rice, maize, and sorghum. Overall, the average composite score for all indicators of sorghum farmers' welfare level is 0.61, which falls into the High category. This indicates that in general, the performance of the various indicators is quite good, although some aspects, such as business security and farmer skills, require more attention for improvement.

Probabilistic Trade‐Offs Analysis for Sustainable and Equitable Management of Climate‐Induced Water Risks

AbstractPressures on water resources are fueling conflicts between sectors. This trend will likely worsen under future climate‐induced water stress, jeopardizing food, energy and human water security in most arid and semi‐arid regions. Probabilistic analysis using stochastic optimization modeling can characterize multi‐sector vulnerabilities and risks associated with future water stress. This study identifies the probabilistic trade‐offs between agricultural, urban and energy sectors in the Ebro Basin (Spain). Two intervention policies have been examined and compared: (a) agricultural priority, and (b) energy priority, for two planning horizons 2040–2070 and 2070–2100. Results show that the human water security goal is achieved under both intervention policies. However, the achievement of the food and energy security goals depends on the policy objectives and on the spatial location of irrigation schemes and hydropower plants, which result in different stream flows across the basin. The policy choice results in substantially different benefit gains and losses by sector and therefore by location. None of the sectoral production priority policy provides an equitable sharing of benefits among all sectors and locations under climate change, which is an important issue, because the success or failure of policy interventions would depend on the distribution of the gains and losses of benefits across the basin. Policy uptake by stakeholders would depend on reaching win‐win outcomes where losers are compensated, while delivering acceptable levels of food, energy and human water security in large river basins. Information on the probabilistic trade‐offs contributes to the design of water management strategies capable of addressing the multi‐sector vulnerability.

Food Availability, Accessibility, and Affordability through the Scope of Food Security Level and Food Environment Perception in Mexico City’s Marginated Area

Background: Food availability, accessibility, utilization, and stability, the four pillars of food security, have sound impact on food environment activities, regarding households’ food availability, accessibility, and affordability. Food availability implies the adequate supply of healthy food and food accessibility complements and builds on food availability by ensuring that households are able to obtain that food, and that food affordability is limited by incomes and food prices. Methods: In this research, socioeconomic characteristics, food security status and food environment (food availability, accessibility, and affordability) perception of households in Ecatepec, México, a marginal Mexico City conurbation area, were determined with the adequate survey. The collected data were analyzed by logistic regression to stablish the significant relationship among the independent variables (household food security status) with the socioeconomic features, in addition to food environment perception, in order to determinate which facts were significant with food security in this marginal area. Results: Educational level (P<0.001), household income (P<0.001), and belonging to a social assistance program (P<0.001) have a significant effect on food security status. Households with lower income, with food insecurity status, presented lower purchasing power. In contrast, households with food security and mild food insecurity were less likely to agree with the food that they can purchase. A better income, and therefore, a higher purchasing power was reflected in the need to access to more healthy food within their neighborhood. Conclusion: Results indicate that the food environment in this marginal area is benevolent, and households find a way to remain resilient in order to provide enough food for their families. Public policies must be focused on reducing poverty and giving more opportunities to promote social mobility

Agriculture Based Food Producing Countries Are Less Secured in Food

Background: Food security of a nation depends upon availability and access to agricultural safe products like grain, fishing, forestry, livestock, etc. Agricultural products cover a large part of national GDP in food producing countries but need to assess food security status of those nations. This paper intended to discuss the food insecurity paradox, which is more apparent in some agriculture-based countries around the globe where increased agricultural GDP shares correspond to negative levels of both food security and per capita income and give an overview on the global trends. Methods: Data was collected from the publication of EIU Global Food Security Index and World Bank. A total number of 113 countries were considered for the data on food security index (FSI), per capita income, and percent employment in agriculture. Results: Countries with higher GDP contribution in agriculture have negative correlation with FSI and per capita income but have a positive relationship with the employment rate in agriculture. That means people involved in production of food are not getting food as much and this is the reason not to access food as they have less per capita income. On the other hand, countries with much less GDP contribution in agriculture had an insignificant relationship with per capita income and employment rate in agriculture. Conclusion: Countries producing less food have access to food due to per capita income from sources other than agriculture. So, the nations that contribute to the production of food are less secured in food, which may be due to low per capita income of many people involved in agriculture sector but they make a great contribution to global food security.

Adaptation Strategies for Fishermen's Food Security in Facing Climate Change in the Coastal Village of Malabro, Bengkulu City

Climate change affects fishermen's food security in Bengkulu City, especially in the Malabro urban village. The condition of small fishing communities experiencing climate change due to extreme weather has reduced fish production. As a result of the impact of climate change, small fishermen cannot go to sea. This research aims to determine the adaptation strategy for fishermen's food security in facing climate change in Malabro urban village, Bengkulu City. The research method uses a quantitative descriptive approach. Sampling techniques in this study use observation, documentation, and interview techniques. aiming at 100 people who were taken, namely small fishermen/fishing laborers in the Malabro village of Bengkulu city. To determine the respondents depth interview. The results of the research indicate that the food security of fishermen in Malabro villages is not food resistant, where the Income of fishermen is generated when the weather is bad. The presentation of low fishermen's Income is 32%, categorized as Income with average results below the minimum wage of Rp. 1000,000. 41% fishermen have with incomes come with an average income of Rp.1300,000, - Rp. 2000,000. 23% of income in the high category with an average income of around Rp.2000,000- Rp.4,500,000, and finally, 4% of Income in the very high category with an average income of Rp. 4,500,000- Rp. 6,000,000. Fishermen's Food Security Level in the category of food availability in fish production when experiencing climate change, the amount of fish obtained from fishing amounts to 50-60kg, and fish production when not experiencing climate change, the results obtained range from 100 kg-150 kg. in food access. The fishing community in Malabro especially small fishermen do not have agricultural land and do not produce food directly so it can be concluded that fishermen's food security can be categorized as not food resistant. Keywords: food security adaptation strategies, climate change impacts

Assessing Households’ Food Security Experience in the Far North Region: Socio-economic Factors and Climate Variability Impacts

Climate change and its associated variability pose significant threats to food systems in the Far North Region, where over 70% of the population relies on agriculture, which is heavily impacted by erratic rainfall, floods, and droughts. This study evaluates household food security experiences in the region, focusing on the effects of these extreme climatic events. Using the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES), we evaluated households’ perceptions of climate variability. Employing quantitative methods, a random sample of 664 households across 18 localities was conducted, assessing food security levels from food secure to extremely food insecure. Data collection included household surveys, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and supplementary secondary data from government sources. Our findings reveal that 36.1% of households worried about food availability 61 or more times, categorizing them as experiencing Extremely Severe Food Insecurity. Additionally, 73.8% reported eating less than sufficient amounts due to erratic rainfall. Flooding exacerbated food insecurity, with 55.4% of households expressing severe concerns about food utilization and 68.8% reporting insufficient dietary intake. Drought conditions further intensified these issues, with 43.1% of households worrying about food sufficiency 61 or more times. Statistical analyses highlight significant correlations and differences across food security dimensions. One-way ANOVA indicated substantial effects of climate variability, with households experiencing food insecurity showing significantly higher worries about food availability (mean score = 0.047, F-value = 78.63) with a strong positive relationship (r = 0.963) between food availability and accessibility, utilization, and stability. Regarding flooding, households reported increased worries across all dimensions of food security, with food availability being the primary concern (mean score = 0.120, F-value = 64.94). Similarly, droughts affected households' food insecurity experiences, with mean scores of 0.22 for food availability, 0.28 for stability, and an F-value of 64.94 for food availability. Overall, the results demonstrate that climate variability severely impacts food insecurity in the Far North Region, with food availability as the primary concern. Localities such as Blangoua and Bogo exhibited the highest proportions of respondents, indicating they "always" ate less than sufficient amounts due to food scarcity (87.0% and 74.2%, respectively). In terms of meal consumption, 49.1% of respondents reported "often" cutting meal sizes or skipping meals, particularly in Blangoua (39.1%) and Bogo (73.7%). Alarmingly, 98.8% of respondents reported having to eat undesirable food, with Bogo (89.5%) and Kai-Kai (83.3%) facing the most acute challenges. The frequency of going without food for an entire day was severe, with 45.3% of respondents stating this occurred "often." Localities like Blangoua, Kousseri, and Makari reported the highest rates of "always" going without food, ranging from 76.6% to 87.0%, indicating Extremely Severe Food Insecurity. In contrast, areas like Kaele and Moulvodaye reported relatively lower rates of food scarcity. This study underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions to address the multifaceted challenges of food insecurity exacerbated by climate variability in the region.

Innovation management in apiaries in times of biodiversity crisis: evidence from Poland

Beekeepers are one of the professional groups actively striving to ensure the balance of the current ecosystem. Their work affects the maintenance of an adequate level of food security, thanks to the intensification of the measures taken to protect and increase the volume of honeybee colonies. The article undertakes the niche but critical issue of innovation of apiary farms. The adopted research approach allowed us to preliminarily identify beekeepers’ attitudes to innovation and the scale of implemented novelties in their farms in 2015–2020. Both the number and the scope of applied innovative solutions in Polish apiaries allow us, on the one hand, to be calm about their further expansion. On the other hand, the consequences of climate change, the uncontrolled influx of cheap honey of unknown origin, or the lack of direct financial support raise new challenges for the management of family beekeeping. Owners of Polish apiaries are far more likely to choose business process innovations than product innovations, which is related to the specifics of the process of obtaining bee products. Therefore, it is necessary to have a comprehensive approach at the level of apiary management in order to make decisions related to current operations as well as those of an investment or preventive nature, taking the chosen direction and form of further expansion into account.

Measuring Food and Water Security in an Aboriginal Community in Regional Australia.

To measure current levels and experiences of food and water security in Walgett to guide a community-led program and to provide a baseline measure. A community-led cross-sectional survey conducted in April 2022 by trained local researchers. Walgett, a regional town in NSW, Australia. A total of 251 Aboriginal adults. Food and water security levels and experiences were measured using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) and Household Water InSecurity Experiences (HWISE) Scale. The relationship between food and water insecurity was determined through linear regression analysis. Almost half of the respondents experienced food insecurity (46%) or water insecurity (44%) in the last 12 months. Most participants attributed food insecurity to difficulties with food affordability (71%) and availability (63%). More than four in five participants reported relying on purchased or donated bottled water due to main water source interruption (83%) or quality concerns (86%). Water insecurity was associated with food insecurity; HFIAS score increased by 0.43 points for every point higher on the HWISE scale. This study is the first to measure levels and experiences of food and water security in an Aboriginal community in Australia using validated tools. The results highlight the interconnectedness of food and water insecurity and provide evidence of levels far higher than Australian national level estimates and comparable to low- and middle-income countries. A holistic government response alongside community-led efforts are needed to increasefood and water security to improve health and well-being in remote Aboriginal communities.

Food Insecurity Predictors Differ for White, Multicultural, and International College Students in the United States.

Background: Higher education institutions and public health agencies in the United States (US) have recognized that food insecurity is pervasive and interferes with student learning on multiple levels. However, less research has examined food insecurity among culturally diverse college students. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted to estimate the prevalence and predictors of food insecurity for US-born White, US-born Multicultural, and International students aged 18-34 at a Midwest university. The secondary aims were to describe dietary and meal characteristics, and the use of food assistance programs, including the on-campus food pantry. Methods: In April 2022, 853 students completed the 10-item US Adult Food Security Module, and demographic, dietary fat intake, food attitude, food access barriers, and nutrition assistance program usage questions using a socio ecological model (SEM) framework. Results: Food security prevalence was 73.3% (54.7% high, 18.5% marginal) and food insecurity prevalence was 26.7% (14.4% low, 12.3% very low). Significantly more International (26.8%) and Multicultural (35.6%) students were classified as food-insecure compared to White students (19.9%; p < 0.001). Binomial and multinomial logistic regression models indicated that predictors of food insecurity were intrapersonal factors of race/ethnicity, poor self-reported health, being an undergraduate, and the community barriers of high food costs and limited transportation. Conclusions: Dietary characteristics differed more by nativity-ethnicity groups than they did by food security levels. Food cost emerged as a strong influence on food choice for the food-insecure students. International students utilized more nutrition assistance programs, including the on-campus food pantry, than other groups.

Shanxi province food security evaluation research

Food security is the foundation of national security, which is related to economic development and social stability. Shanxi Province, as China’s grain production and marketing balance area, has rich agricultural resources and profound farming civilization, its food security situation is not only related to its own economic development, but also has a strategic position that can not be ignored in the national food security system. Based on the concept and goal of the development of food security in Shanxi Province, from the five aspects of quantity security, economic security, policy security, resource sustainability and ecological sustainability, this paper constructs the evaluation index system of food security in Shanxi Province, including the fluctuation rate of grain production and the sown area of grain, and establishes the entropy TOPSIS model to evaluate the development level of food security in Shanxi Province. The results show that the overall level of food security in Shanxi Province from 2001 to 2022 shows a trend of first decline and then rise, and the importance of food economic security, policy security and resource sustainability is increasing year by year. In the process of improving the level of food security development in Shanxi Province, it is also affected by structural imbalance, scientific and technological level, grain storage and transportation. Finally, the paper puts forward some policy suggestions to ensure food security in Shanxi Province.

Achieving National Food Security in Sub‐Saharan African Countries: The Role of Foreign Agricultural Aid

ABSTRACTAfrican policymakers have astutely prioritized agricultural expenditure as a crucial strategy to address food insecurity in the continent. However, the available financial resources are insufficient to achieve this objective. Foreign agricultural aid has been proposed as a viable supplement to domestic resource mobilization efforts in bridging the resource deficit. This article investigates the food security implications of sector‐specific aid (agricultural aid) between 1990 and 2020, thus broadening the current understanding. By considering the heterogeneous nature of SSA, this study delves deeper into the relationship between foreign agricultural aid and food security in the region. It investigates both panel and country‐specific causal relationships, providing a more nuanced understanding of the subject. Quantile panel‐type regressions are employed. Coefficients from the fixed effects and random effects with Driscoll–Kraay standard errors are also reported. Additionally, causal linkages between foreign agricultural aid and food security are examined through panel causality testing with bootstrapping. Findings show that agricultural aid contributes to closing the resource gap and improving food security. Also, the effectiveness of agricultural aid is greater when food security is relatively poor, and its impact diminishes as food security improves. Causal relationships suggest that agricultural aid is a determinant of food security. The level of food security is also an indicator of agricultural aid inflows. Thus, strategies such as population control, poverty reduction, and increased access to agricultural land can enhance food security.

Состояние и приоритеты развития сельского хозяйства Рязанской области как фактора обеспечения продовольственной безопасности региона

The article analyzes the state of the agro-industrial complex of the Ryazan region in dynamics over five years. The contribution of various branches of agriculture to solving the problem of food security in the region is analyzed. The positive changes in the sectoral structure of the complex, the dynamics of investment in agricultural production, reflected in the improvement of the financial condition of agricultural enterprises, are shown. The most significant problems of the region in the studied issue have been identified, the solution of which will allow us to reach the necessary level of food security.

ПРОДОВОЛЬСТВЕННАЯ БЕЗОПАСНОСТЬ СТРАН ЕВРОПЫ

The article examines the essence of food security, the negative historical experience of solving the problem in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, the calculation of indicators for determining the level of food security in Europe, and the status identifiers for this indicator. Modern challenges and threats to Europe’s food security are considered. Measures are proposed to improve the situation and avoid problems.

Food Insecurity and Coping Strategies in War-Affected Urban Settings of Tigray, Ethiopia

Armed conflict remains a significant global issue, with several studies highlighting its detrimental impact on the affected communities, making it a critical area of research. This study aimed to examine the effects of prolonged armed conflict on food security among urban households in Tigray, Ethiopia, and to examine their coping mechanisms. Primary data were collected from 740 urban households between May and June 2024. The Food Insecurity Access Scale (FIAS), Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES), and Food Consumption Score (FCS) were employed to assess the levels of food security, while the Livelihood Coping Strategy Index (LCSI) was used to identify coping strategies. The findings revealed that female-headed households were more affected by food insecurity than male-headed households. FIAS (FIES) scores indicated that 17% (2%) of households were food-secure, with 20% (25%) mildly, 35% (32%) moderately, and 29% (30%) severely food-insecure. The FCS analysis showed that 52% of households had poor food consumption, 33% were borderline, and 16% were acceptable. The findings show that 39% of urban households experienced hunger in the post-conflict period. Stress-level strategies are the most widely adopted coping mechanisms. These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted policy interventions that address the specific vulnerabilities of female-headed households and ensure the development of sustainable coping strategies to mitigate the long-term effects of food insecurity in war-affected urban settings. This study offers novel insights into the urban dimensions of food insecurity and coping strategies in post-conflict settings.

ASSESSMENT OF THE WAR IMPACT ON ENSURING NATIONAL FOOD SECURITY

In the modern conditions of society development, which are characterized by the increase not only of internal problems of the state but also of external extraordinary challenges, the importance of issues of diagnosing the impact of war on the agricultural development of Ukraine in the direction of ensuring the national food security is growing. The article is aimed at assessing the war's impact on the agriculture development of Ukraine, diagnosing development prospects of food security in a war period; providing proposals and recommendations, post-war recovery measures in order to ensure an appropriate level of food security and solve current food crisis situations in a war and post-war period, which are actual and important issue that needs an urgent solution. In the direction of achieving the main purpose, in the research have been applied several general and special scientific methods, namely: the methods of scientific abstraction, analytical diagnostics, statistical and comparative analysis, the method of end-to-end analytics, and regulatory and index criteria etc.The article examines and presents the regional distribution of losses to Ukrainian agriculture in a war period, the structure of agricultural losses from the war by main categories and its detailed description; the structure of indirect financial losses in agriculture from the impact of war and its detailed description, that declared the existence of urgent need for the full restoration of the potential of the industry and requires significant financial and investment resources; recommendations for reconstruction of agricultural resources provision and development of international trade activity in a war and post-war period.The article has defined the key features of food safety regulation at the state level, which made it possible to prove the existence of significant deficiencies in the work of state risk management, and mechanisms for ensuring the country's food and environmental safety. Actual problems of food security ensuring the conditions of the war in Ukraine are identified. The results of a detailed analysis of the state and trends of agricultural sector development in the conditions of the war proved the existence of risk situations that can cause unforeseen and irreversible consequences in the near future.

Exploring variation of influences of caste and ethnicity in rural mountain household food security in Nepal

This study investigates the impact of caste and ethnicity on household food security in Makalu Rural Municipality, a rural mountainous area in Nepal characterized by its diverse ethnic composition and reliance on subsistence agriculture. Employing a cross-sectional household survey methodology, data were collected from 262 households using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale to measure food security levels. The study reveals significant variations in food security across different caste and ethnicity, with Sherpa households exhibiting the highest levels of food insecurity. These disparities are influenced by socio-economic factors closely linked to the caste and ethnicity system, which restricts access to resources and opportunities. Findings are interpreted through the lens of human capital theory and entitlement theory, emphasizing the role of social and economic entitlements in securing food. The study concludes with recommendations for policy interventions that address both the economic and socio-cultural dimensions of food insecurity. The implications of this research are critical for designing targeted strategies that enhance food security in rural Nepal, particularly by addressing caste and ethnicity-based disparities.