Food Security Status of Rural Households in Lay Gayint Woreda of South Gondar Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Abstract

Ethiopia is among the food insecure countries in sub-Saharan Africa. The problem is more common in Amhara region where nearly 50 % of the Woredas (districts) are found to be sufferers of food shortage. This food crisis is a key development challenge at the present time. Lay Gayint is one of these Woredas of the state suffering from recurrent food deficit. However, there are no detailed studies done using standard methods and measurements to determine food security situations of the people there. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to decide on the food security status of households living in rural parts of the Woreda by using a Core Food Security Module (CFSM). To achieve this objective, data were collected from 379 randomly selected households. A sampling procedure with two stages was used to select sample places and households. In the first stage, five Kebeles were selected proportional to areal coverage of each agro-ecological zones using probability sampling technique. In the next stage, 379 household heads were taken from each Kebele proportional to the size of each Kebele household population using systematic random sampling technique. Data were analyzed using Core Food Security Module (CFSM) and descriptive statistics. The result revealed that about 85% of the surveyed sampled households were food insecure at different levels. Despite all the efforts exerted by the Ethiopian Government to ensure food security, too low achievement is being recorded. Since food security status is determined by complex factors, comprehensive interventions need to be implemented to enhance food production. Enhancing farmland productivity through integrated watershed management and better technology packages anchored with awareness creation and skill training is imperative.  Moreover, strengthening access to and usage of rural credit by linking farmers to extension and family planning measures among others are important strategies to ensure food security.

Keywords: Core Food Security Module, Food Security, Lay Gayint, Rural Households

DOI: 10.7176/JAAS/57-03

Publication date: August 31^st 2019