Determinants of Rural Household Food Security in Wolaita Zone: The Case of Humbo Woreda

Abstract

Among sub-Saharan Africa, Ethiopia remains one of the poorest and most food insecure countries of the world. Therefore, this study attempted to address the determinants of rural household food security in Wolaita zone, the case of Humbo Woreda, South Ethiopia with the objectives of assessing rural households’ food security status and identifying the determinants of rural household food security in the study area. For this study a total of 120 households were selected from five rural kebeles by using systematic random sampling technique. Primary and secondary data sources were collected for this study. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and econometric regression models. Multiple linear regression model was applied to identify determinants of rural household food security. The survey result shows that from the total sample respondents 38.3% and 61.7% was food secure and insecure, respectively. The average and squared food insecurity gap among the food insecure households were found as 31.1% and 14.17% respectively. The model result shows out of 13 explanatory variables, about 6 variables had statistically significant relationship with household food security. Family size was negatively related with food security while the other variables (farm size, total livestock owned, and educational status of household head, use of credit and use of inputs) were positively related with household food security. Therefore, more attention should be given to limit the increasing population through awareness creation and provision of education about the use and benefits of family planning to both rural men and women to enhance household food security and also strengthen adult learning programme for those illiterate households. Attention should be given to credit advancing institutions such as microfinance and should make the loan available in time to the farmers and create awareness about repayment and how to use it and more attention should be given to livestock production and their management; strengthen animal health services through extension services. Furthermore, agricultural sector should be given close attention by providing improved agricultural inputs to rural farm households on time.

Keywords: Food security, Kilocalorie, Multiple Linear regression models, Humbo.