Determinants and Coping Strategies of Household Food Insecurity Evidence from Agro Pastoralists of Afar Region (Zone Two)

Abstract

This research is conducted in Zone two of Afar Region with objective of identifying the major determinants of household food insecurity and listing out of local coping strategies. To achieve the specified objectives, both primary and secondary data sources were used. Primary data were collected from four Kebelles through structured questionnaire. To analyze the collected data both descriptive and inferential analysis were employed. In the case of inferential analysis binary logit model was used. Furthermore, indices such as Foster, Greer and Thorbecke (FGT), Gini Coefficient, Lorenz Curve and Coping Strategy Index were also usedAbsolute food poverty line for the study area is found to be ETB 2,828.64 per adult per year. The incidence, depth and severity of food insecurity are found to be 35.67 percent, 10.65 percent and 4.72 percent, respectively. The most severe coping mechanisms households took include selling household asset and dropping children out of schooling. Access to agricultural extension services, participation in safety net program and educational status of household are identified as negative and significant determinants of household food insecurity. In contrast, sex of household head and family size are found to be positive and significant covariates of household food insecurity. To meet the first Millennium Development Goal (MDG), i.e., eradicating extreme poverty and hunger in the study area to the target level, greater focus should be given on creating off farm income generating activities, constructing dams for irrigation and improving the current agricultural advisory services in intensity and coverage.

Keywords: Food Insecurity, Coping Strategies, Binary Logit and Zone Two