DETERMINANTS OF FOOD INSECURITY AMONG RURAL HOUSEHOLDS IN DEBARK WOREDA, NORTHWEST ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Ethiopia is one of the food deficit countries in sub-Saharan Africa. The food deficit is
especially manifested in Amhara region. Many woredas in the region are only able to
produce food that could meet their food requirements for less than six months of the
year. This food insecurity is a key development challenge. Thus, the objective of this
study was to examine the extent of the food insecurity and identify its determinants in
Debark woreda. The food insecurity was assessed using the calorie intake. A total of
200 farming households’ were randomly selected using systematic sampling
technique. Primary data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Data were
analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings revealed that the
proportion of food insecure households was more than the food secured households.
The chi-square statistic revealed a significant association between food insecure and
secure households. Similarly, the t-test revealed a significant mean difference between
food insecure and secure households with respect to age of household heads, TLU and
cultivated land size. Moreover, the model output revealed seven out of twelve
explanatory variables: age of household heads, educational level, TLU, cultivated land
size, access to credit, applying chemical fertilizer and improved seeds were found to be
statistically significant determinants of household food insecurity. In conclusion, the
determinants of food insecurity are complex and call for multifaceted interventions.
Such efforts should include resettling food insecure households where better land
resources are available, strengthening informal education and skill training centers to
farming households, enhancing and expanding rural credit service