Rural Household Food Security Research Articles

Determinants of Food Security in Rural Households: An Analysis of Dietary Diversity, Land Ownership, and Socioeconomic Factors

Background: Food security is a critical issue in rural areas, influenced by various socioeconomic factors, dietary practices, and resource ownership. Understanding the determinants of food security can help in designing effective interventions to improve the well-being of rural households. Purpose: This study aims to identify and analyze the key determinants of food security among rural households, focusing on dietary diversity, land ownership, and other socioeconomic factors. Methods: The dataset used in this study includes variables such as gender, marital status, education, land ownership, food crop cultivation, meal frequency, age, food source, Food Security Index (FSI), and Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS). Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to explore the relationships between these variables and the FSI. Additionally, a Random Forest Regressor model was employed to predict the FSI and to determine the importance of each feature. Results: The multiple linear regression analysis revealed that HDDS has a significant positive relationship with the FSI (p<0.001), indicating that higher dietary diversity is associated with higher food security levels. Other variables, such as education and food source, showed weaker correlations with food security. The Random Forest Regressor model achieved an R-squared value of 0.495, with feature importance analysis indicating that HDDS, food source, and age are the most influential factors in determining food security. The Mean Squared Error (MSE) of the model was 10.743. Conclusion: This research highlights the crucial role of dietary diversity and socioeconomic conditions in shaping food security outcomes in rural areas. The findings provide valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders aiming to enhance food security and dietary quality in rural communities. Further studies are recommended to explore the complex interactions between these variables and to develop targeted interventions to improve food security.

Determinants of livelihood diversification and its contribution to food security of rural households in Gozamin Woreda, Ethiopia

Determinants of livelihood diversification and its contribution to food security of rural households in Gozamin Woreda, Ethiopia

Participation in livestock-based interventions and its impact on food security in Bangladesh: A quasi-experimental method

Livestock-based interventions play a critical role in enhancing food security in developing countries like Bangladesh, contributing to enhanced livestock productivity, improved household income, ensured food security, women's empowerment, livelihoods advancement, and positioning agriculture as a catalyst for economic growth. The study specifically examines the impact of the livestock and dairy development project (LDDP) intervention on food security in rural livestock farming households in Bangladesh. We gathered data, we are employing simple random sampling, and collecting 180 cross-sectional primary data from both LDDP participants and non-participants. Descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, and propensity score matching approaches were utilized to achieve our research objectives. Livestock farming households with LDDP participants exhibited higher food security, with beneficiaries surpassing non-participants by 52 % and 40 %, respectively. The mean per capita calorie intake for LDDP participant households was 1966.134 (Kcal), whereas non-participant households recorded 1762.130 (Kcal). The results demonstrate that LDDP intervention significantly and positively impacts food security, women's empowerment, household welfare, and income. These interventions have the potential to enhance nutrition and boost household income, thereby contributing to the stability of food security. Consequently, we recommended an expansion of LDDP intervention, encompassing less resourceful farmers with adequate logistical support. This study illustrates how employing propensity score matching method (PSM) and implementing the LDDP intervention can effectively improve food security in livestock farming households in Bangladesh.

Women, income use and nutrition quality: effects of women’s decision-making in rural households in Cameroon

BackgroundWomen remain central to household food and nutrition security. However, they continue to face several constraints with respect to access, control and use of credit and income. There is theoretical assertion that increasing women's decision-making authority over family income increases spending and leads to gains in nutrition. However, empirical evidence on the links between rural women's income control and household food and nutrition security is inadequate, especially for a developing country, such as Cameroon.MethodologyWe employ the food consumption score nutrition quality analysis, the income domain of the Abbreviated Women’s Empowerment in Agriculture Index and the Partial Least Square Structural Equations Modelling to examine data collected from 600 rural households in the West region of Cameroon to establish the effects of women’s control over income use on household nutrition quality. To ensure the reliability of our findings, additional tests such as the Confirmatory Tetrad Analysis, the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test with Lilliefors correction, and the Finite Mixture PLS approach are employed.ResultsFrom the analyses, we observed that a significant percentage of households have poor nutritional quality, particularly in terms of iron-rich food consumption. Women's control over income use remains low and varies based on the source of income. The analyses show that women's decision-making concerning income use and women's perception of their decision-making ability regarding income use and expenditure are positively associated with higher nutritional quality for the household. In addition, we establish that women's perceptions of their ability to make decisions about income use have a positive direct and total effect on nutrition quality, but a negative indirect effect on the latter, with the direct positive effect outweighing the indirect effect.ConclusionsInadequate consumption of iron-rich foods is pervasive for most households and there is limited control over income used for the majority of women in the study area. Enhancing women’s control over income use has significant implications for household nutrition quality. Hence, women should be empowered to fully exploit their potential at the household level to enhance food security at the community, regional and national levels.

Role of Agriculture on Rural Household Food Security: A Systematic Review from Indonesia

Rural areas are crucial for agriculture in Indonesia, particularly in local rice production. However, many rural communities face challenges accessing safe and nutritious food due to limited transportation infrastructure, restricted local markets, and low incomes. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these issues by disrupting food supply chains and worsening food insecurity. This systematic review examines how local food production, including agriculture, contributed to food security in early COVID-19 rural Indonesia following the PRISMA procedure. The author uses five databases including, EBSCO Host, ScienceDirect, Taylor & Francis, Wiley, and GARUDA. Search using keywords food security, access, local production, rural, agriculture, pandemic COVID-19, and Indonesia. Fifteen studies showed most rural communities faced food insecurity at the start of the pandemic due to lockdowns and higher non-household expenses. Nevertheless, some villages remained food secure, relying on local agriculture and plantations. The findings of this review can provide valuable direction for implementing focused mitigation plans in particular areas to reduce the effects of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and future global events on rural food security.

Is Climate Change Posing a Challenge to Food Security? Empirical Evidence from a Small Island Developing Country

Food security remains one of the main goals for all countries worldwide. While several agencies have mobilized resources to achieve this goal, food insecurity remains a significant livelihood challenge in many developing countries. Therefore, in this paper, we examine some critical factors affecting the food security of rural agricultural households in Fiji using the latest Agricultural Census data. This study reveals that farmers’ access to fishing grounds and non-timber forest resources can improve farming households’ food security. The study also shows that while the government vigorously pursues a transition from subsistence agriculture towards commercial agriculture, improving market access and reducing transportation costs will significantly improve food security. Given the importance of regular cash income, the study also demonstrates that off-farm employment of household members, particularly larger-sized households, will substantially help to improve food security. Lastly, and most importantly, the government must quickly examine how it could mitigate challenges posed by climate change, as this could devastate food security via reduced food production.

Perceptions of climate change-related disasters and impact on household food security in rural farm households in Imo State, Nigeria

This study investigates the perception of climate change-related disasters and their impact on household food security in rural farm households in Imo State, Nigeria. Studies have consistently shown an association between climate change and food insecurity in different parts of the world. However the impact of climate change varies over time and space and therefore cannot be generalized. If household food security is to be secured in Imo State, it becomes imperative to identify the specific climate change related disasters that adversely affect household food security as well as the intervention priorities in specific communities. The study utilizes descriptive analytical tools to analyze the data from 186 farm households across four agricultural communities in the state. Findings reveal that excessive rainfall leading to flooding is the most prevalent climate change-related disaster, followed by excessive heat and irregular rainfall patterns. A significant majority of respondents attribute household food insecurity to these climate change-related disasters at high or very high levels. Various mitigation strategies adopted by households include changes in farming practices, irrigation methods, crop replacement, and land modification techniques. The study also identifies top priorities for government intervention as improving drainage and irrigation systems, establishing community weather forecast centers, and providing fertilizer subsidies. Additionally, enhancing hedging technology and pest/disease control strategies were recognized as important interventions. The study emphasizes the importance of tailored interventions, continuous data collection, and awareness campaigns to enhance agricultural resilience and ensure food security in the face of climate change impacts.

Rural Household Food Security Status: The Case of Jimma Rare District, Horo Guduru Wollega, Western Ethiopia

Rural Household Food Security Status: The Case of Jimma Rare District, Horo Guduru Wollega, Western Ethiopia

Occupational dimension of food security: A rural household level assessment in Kogi State, Nigeria

This study empirically assessed the occupational dimension of food security among rural households in Kogi State, Nigeria. The study adopted a multi-stage random sampling technique to select one hundred and forty-four (144) rural households for data collection. Primary data obtained from the respondents were analyzed using descriptive statistics, food security index (FSI), and a binary logit regression model. The results revealed a mean age of 43 years among the rural household heads. Married households accounted for 79.29% of the sample size with a mean household size of 4 members. The level of illiteracy was relatively low. The mean monthly income among the households was N71,796.43 (($154.40)). The majority (91.30%) of the farmers were food secure while only 8.70% were food insecure. The incidence of food insecurity was higher (77.8%) among the artisans, followed by household heads in other occupations, traders, and civil servants with an incidence rate of 58.3%, 54.8%, and 51.5%, respectively. It was also found that sex (p<0.01) and farming as a major occupation of household head (p<0.01) had a positive impact on rural household food security, while age (p<0.01) had a negative impact on household food security. It was recommended that relevant stakeholders should encourage rural households to practice agricultural production and farmers should be supported by the government and other relevant actors to expand their scale of production as this will have a multiplier effect on rural households’ food security.

Can women’s empowerment in livestock farming improve household food security? Empirical evidence from rural households in Malawi

BackgroundOver the years the Government of Malawi has launched several initiatives to improve food security in the country. Despite these efforts there have been limited improvements in food security, raising the spectre of persistently elevated levels of food insecurity. Efforts to reduce food insecurity may involve women who play a central role in the production, processing, preparation and control of vital livestock products for food security. However, women’s ability to achieve food security is limited by their lack of access to productive resources and limited ability to participate in decision-making. The main objective of this study is to estimate the impact of women’s empowerment in household livestock production and marketing decisions on household food security.MethodsThis study uses data from a proportionate random sample of 400 households in two major livestock producing Extension Planning Areas in the Nsanje district to estimate the relationship between women’s empowerment and household food security in rural households in Malawi.ResultsTobit regression results show that the empowerment of women in the livestock sector, especially in decisions pertaining to agricultural production, nutrition, and income control, improves household food security. In addition, factors such as household income, household size, and the main occupation of the household head play a significant role in ensuring household food security.ConclusionThe results suggest that nutrition-sensitive programmes should target women’s agency in livestock production and nutrition decisions for improved food security among rural households in Malawi. As part of their food security strategy, Government of Malawi could develop programs to sensitize households on the importance of enhancing women’s agency in agriculture and nutrition decision-making, while also providing targeted income-support for women.

IMPACTS OF COVID-19 LOCKDOWN RESTRICTION ON RURAL HOUSEHOLD FOOD SECURITY AND LIVELIHOOD ACTIVITIES OF ARABLE CROP FARMERS IN YENAGOA AGRICULTURAL ZONE, BAYELSA STATE, NIGERIA

With economic recoveries slowing, COVID-19 uncertainties and disruptions continuing, and worsening fiscal capacity, the outlook for food and nutrition security for many low- and middle-income farmers and their livelihood is of significant concern. The study analyzed the effect of COVID-19 lockdown restriction on rural household food security and livelihood activities of arable crop farmers in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Data were collected through well-structured questionnaire from 100 arable crop farmers. Data were analyzed using simple descriptive and inferential statistical tools. The result showed that fever (x=3.8), cough (x=3.1), shortness of breath (x=3.5), headache (x=3.5), sore throat ( x=3.3) and congestion or running nose (=3.2) were perceived COVID-19 symptoms. Transportation (tricycle and taxi driving) (x=3.7), arable crop farming (x=3.4), handicraft (x=2.5), oil palm farming (x=3.4), fish farming (x=3.2), vegetable farming (x=3.4) and snail farming (x=3.1) were livelihood activities affected by COVID-19 movement restriction. Food availability (x=2.9), feeding efficiency/sufficiency (x=2.6), economic access to food (=2.5) and food quality (=2.5) were food status of the sample arable crop farmers. The regression result showed that the coefficient of COVID-19 movement restriction (2.531) was positive and statistically significant at 1%. The study concluded that COVID-19 movement restriction significantly affected food security status and livelihood activities of arable crop farmers negatively. Hence, the study recommended effort should be made by government and other agricultural agencies to establish food storage, preservation and processing facilities so that during movement restrictions farmers can have access to food and to avoid malnutrition for the aged farmers...

Women, food security and the pandemic in peri-urban and rural West Bengal

PurposeGender-differentiated role obligations, constraints and dependencies affect food security dynamics across peri-urban and rural areas. This paper aims to understand how periods of crisis disproportionately exacerbate hardships for female populations in such areas and endeavours to assist agro-food policymaking in formulating support initiatives more effectively.Design/methodology/approachA feasibility/pilot survey was conducted through face-to-face semi-structured interviews in public settings and sought to understand and analyse the differentiated impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on rural and peri-urban food insecurity through the experiences of 50 women from across various districts in West Bengal.FindingsThe study found that women play multivarious roles regarding food security in rural and peri-urban households, extend these obligations to their female children and encounter deficiencies in financial autonomy to access and use food resources. It concludes that while women seem to contribute the most to household and community food security, they are also most vulnerable to food insecurity. These vulnerabilities were exacerbated during the pandemic.Practical implicationsThis feasibility/pilot study may serve as a springboard for a larger, more comprehensive survey exploring the dynamics of gender inequality, food insecurity and the Covid-19 pandemic amongst women across peri-urban and rural areas in West Bengal. This may bolster pandemic vulnerability analyses and impact assessments in the State.Originality/valueTo the best of the author’s knowledge, no other study implemented in West Bengal explores the interfaces between gender inequality, food insecurity and the Covid-19 pandemic in rural and peri-urban areas.

Role of Social Capital on Livelihood Strategies, Food Security and Income of Rural Households in Salale, Oromia, Ethiopia

Role of Social Capital on Livelihood Strategies, Food Security and Income of Rural Households in Salale, Oromia, Ethiopia

Unpacking regional variations of multidimensional food security in rural Ethiopia: insights for policy

PurposeThis study aims to measure the status of rural household food security across regions using multidimensional indicators. It also aims to identify the determinants of rural household food security in Ethiopia.Design/methodology/approachThe study adopted descriptive and explanatory designs. It used data from the fourth wave of the Ethiopian socioeconomic survey that has 3,115 respondents. The authors constructed household food security index using variables that capture availability, access, utilization and stability dimensions of food security. The authors categorized households into relative food security groups, namely, alarming and moderately food insecure, as well as moderately and highly food secure. Beta regression model, which is widely used to analyze response variables that assume values between 0 and 1, is used to estimate the determinants of food security.FindingsThe study finds that 77.7% of rural households are food insecure. Of this, 90% are moderately food insecure. Regional variations in magnitude of food security showed that Harari, Gambella and Benshanguel Gumuz regional states are relatively better-off than other regions in Ethiopia. The study identified sex, education level, marital status, location and wealth status of households as significant determinants of food security.Originality/valueThis study sheds light on regional variations in multidimensional food security in Ethiopia. It thus challenged previous estimates of food security using uni-dimensional indicator. It highlighted the need for region-specific analysis of determinants and a follow up of tailored regional interventions.Peer reviewThe peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-02-2023-0139

Assessing financial literacy and food and nutritional security relationship in an African country

This study investigates the relationship between rural Ghanaian household food and nutrition security and financial literacy. We used the endogenous treatment regression (ETR) technique to address the analysis's potential selection bias problem. The findings of our study demonstrated a beneficial relationship between food and nutrition security and financial literacy. According to further studies, the relationship between food security and financial literacy is heterogeneous. Our findings may have some ramifications for promoting food and nutritional security while preserving rural development methods.

Contribution of indigenous food preservation and processing practices to food security of rural households in Sekhukhune district of Limpopo province, South Africa

Rural people have the indigenous knowledge of processing and preserving food to ensure household food security during times of food scarcity. Although indigenous knowledge plays an important role in ensuring household food security for many rural households, it is often overlooked as a solution to address food and nutrition insecurity. The main objective of the study was to identify and document indigenous food preservation and processing techniques used by rural women to ensure household food security. Qualitative data were collected from small-scale farming households in seven villages through focus group discussions, individual interviews, and observations. The researchers adhered to ethical considerations (approvals, permissions with the relevant authorities, consent from participants, their privacy, anonymity, and confidentiality) throughout the research process. Data were analysed using thematic content analysis. The results indicate that sun-drying and fermentation were the most commonly used methods for food preservation, while the most prevalent methods used for processing vegetables (merogo) involved cooking, mashing, pelleting and sun-drying. Crops, such as mung beans, bambara groundnuts and sorghum are threshed and winnowed to remove all impurities. The seeds, which are to be used in the next planting season, are treated with aloe ash to prevent pest infestation. Indigenous fruits are gathered from the wild and eaten as snacks. Indigenous dried vegetables (merogo) and fermented marula beer were sold to generate income that is used to buy other basic food items. The paper concludes by highlighting the existing indigenous knowledge that rural households demonstrate in terms of food processing and preservation. Given the existing knowledge and the commonly used methods for preserving and processing food, it is crucial to create awareness regarding ways of retaining nutrients during food preservation and processing to ensure availability and proper utilisation of indigenous foods for household food security purposes. The study recommends that these methods, including ways of retaining nutrients, be documented and made easily accessible for rural households to use now and in the future for ensuring household food and nutrition security. Therefore, there is a need for agricultural and food security policies to embrace, adopt, promote and adapt indigenous knowledge and technologies to address food security. Key words: indigenous knowledge, food preservation, food processing, food security, indigenous food preservation

Nexus between summer climate variability and household food security in rural Mpumalanga Province, South Africa

Ongoing climate changes are likely to impact household food security in rural households that depend on rainfed subsistence agriculture. This paper investigates the relationship between summer climate variability and household food security in rural Mpumalanga, South Africa. We used a household panel data set nested in the Agincourt Health and Socio-Demographic Surveillance System, together with rainfall and temperature data for the summer periods 2006-07 to 2018-19 from three weather stations that surround the study area. We quantified the variability of rainfall using coefficient of variation and the standardised rainfall anomaly index, while temperature variability was reflected by the standardised temperature anomaly. In addition, the Mann-Kendall analysis was applied to detect temporal trends in rainfall and temperature. Longitudinal models accounting for socioeconomic and climate factors were used to estimate the relationship between weather and climate. The results reveal significant impact on food security from high inter-annual rainfall variability through fluctuations in food consumption, dietary diversity, and the experience of hunger. This study offers significant insights on how dietary diversity, food availability and overall food security are positively associated with greater average rainfall through subsistence agriculture as a livelihood strategy. These insights have important implications by suggesting seasonal forecasts to predict periods of potential food insecurity in local communities and can guide government policy and interventions to lessen food insecurity in rural areas.

Impact of income diversification on rural household food security in Ethiopia

Using primary data collected from 462 farm households, this paper aims to examine the impact of income diversification on rural household food security in Ethiopia. A propensity score matching model was employed to analyze the impact of participation in both agriculture and non-agriculture activities on household food security. The results indicate that age, education level, household size, number of contacts with extension agents, and numbers of livestock in tropical livestock units have a significant effect on household participation in both agriculture and non-agriculture sources of income generation. The propensity score matching result suggested that participation in both agriculture and non-agriculture would increase the rural household food security status by 10.6% to 19.5%, mainly due to a positive effect of additional sources of income generation from non-agriculture activities as witnessed in present and past studies. Therefore, to make considerable improvement on the food security situation, there is need to promote and scale-up on-farm, off-farm and non-farm income-generating activities in rural areas to diversify income sources so as to improve food security status of the rural households in Ethiopia.

Analysing the Scope of Kitchen Gardens in Achieving Dietary Diversity and Food Security in Rural Households for Resilient and Sustainable Food Systems

Aim: The study aims to identify the scope of kitchen gardens or nutrition gardens in rural households in Tamil Nadu in achieving dietary diversity and food security. Currently, only a few existing studies analyse the link between kitchen gardens and dietary diversity. The study aims to address this gap.
 Study Design: Exploratory study.
 Place of Study: Tiruvallur and Coimbatore districts, Tamil Nadu, India during December 2022.
 Methodology: The study was conducted among 270 rural household heads selected through a stratified random sampling method. An index validated by Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) and FANTA was used to measure Household Dietary Diversity.
 Results: The results show there was a significant decrease in dietary diversity among the households. It was also identified that promoting kitchen gardens among poor households can improve food security.
 Conclusion: The study suggests suitable policy measures tailored to the local agricultural system to scale up kitchen gardening as a viable model for a resilient food system. Future research could be done to assess the impact of nutritive gardens on household food consumption patterns and food security.

Can gender-equitable access to and control over resources improve rural household food security? Case study in West Africa

Can gender-equitable access to and control over resources improve rural household food security? Case study in West Africa