HOUSEHOLDS FOOD INSECURITY AND COPING STRATEGIES IN THE CENTRAL HIGH LANDS: THE CASE OFABICHUAND GNEA, OROMIA NATIONAL REGIONAL STATE

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.