Abstract:
Food insecurity is widespread in Abichu and Gnea Woreda. This study was carried out in
Abichu and Gnea woreda of Oromia National Regional State. This study was assessing the
status of food insecurity, identifying the major causes of food insecurity and the local coping
strategies employed by sample households to cope with food insecurity. In order to achieve
the objectives of the study the investigator used descriptive survey research design. The total
number of 342 sample households were selected for this research .This sample size was drawn
by using random sampling procedure from 3 purposively selected samples Kebeles through
primary and secondary sources. The collected data were analyzed by using descriptive and
inferential statistical techniques. Household food insecurity influence factors were examined
using logistic regression model .A household food balance food model was adopted and the
recommended daily calorie requirement, 2100Kilocalory per day per adult equivalent was
used to determine the household food insecurity status. The survey result revealed that 61.7
percent of sample households were food insecure and 38.3 percent food secure. The causes of
household food insecurity were related to demographic, biophysical, economic, institutional
and socio-cultural factors. Results also indicate that there was a significant mean difference
at different level of significance that affect food insecure status of households in terms of sex
of household heads, household size in adult equivalent, landholding, livestock holding,
ox/oxen owning, non/off farm income, input use, extension service and access to credit
service. Further analysis, showed that sale animals, borrowing cash or food, eating less
preferred foods, reducing number and size of meals and receiving food aid were the
frequently practiced coping strategies by sample households in the study woreda. The result
generally suggests the need to improve agricultural technologies and promoting non/off-farm
activities to solve household food insecurity in the study area. Moreover, both short term and
long-term actions from government bodies, donors and households themselves to ensure
household food security have been recommended.
