Determinants of Rural Household Food Insecurity : The Case of Menz-Gera District of Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia

Abstract

The paper examined the extent of  and factors associated with households’ food insecurity in Menz Gera District using 150 randomly selected sample households. Household Calorie Acquisition (HCA), the amount of calories consumed via the household during the last seven days, has been used to measure the extent of household food insecurity. And 2200Kcal/day per adult equivalent was used as a food security line. The incidence, gap, and severity of the households’ food insecurity were computed using the FGT food insecurity induces, and results in 84.7, 41.7, and 25.4 percent, respectively. Factors associated with the extent of the households’ food insecurity were estimated using the Tobit regression model. Sex of the household head, family size, farm size, irrigation access, non/off-farm income participation, number of oxen, livestock holding, extension contact,  and distance from main market center were statistically significant determinants. Therefore, the study recommended that special emphasis should be given in the area through the identified factors to eradicate the widespread food insecurity situation.

Keywords: Menz Gera, food insecurity, HCA, FGT, Tobit

DOI: 10.7176/FSQM/112-02

Publication date: January 31^st 2022