Abstract:
The agricultural sector greatly influences the economic performance and is the longstanding
sector in contributing to food security in Ethiopia. This research attempts to contribute to the
understanding of farm households’ crop commercialization and food security conditions in
Eastern zone of Tigray, Ethiopia. Specifically, it was designed to estimate the level of crop
commercialization and calorie consumption, investigate the common determinants of intensity
of crop commercialization and calorie consumption and identify the common determinants of
crop commercialization and food security statuses of farm households. The study was mainly
based on cross-sectional data collected from 500 sample farm households which were
proportionately and randomly selected from two strata, dry dega and dry woina dega covering
a total of 46 Kebelles. Data collected using semi structured questionnaire was subjected to
descriptive, inferential and econometric analysis to answer the research objectives. The results
revealed that the mean level of crop market participation of farm households was significantly
and strongly lower than 31%.The level of crop market participation was found to lie between
9% and 12% and less commercialized. On average, the sample households consumed about
1756 kilo calories per day per adult equivalent. The mean level of calorie consumption of
sample households was significantly and strongly lower than the recommended daily calorie
consumption per adult equivalent, 2200 kcal, for a healthy life. The linear cross-equation
correlation of residuals for the SURE model of intensity of crop market participation and
calorie consumption was found to be significantly and positively correlated. This positive
correlation suggested that improving the intensity of crop market participation simultaneously
enhances the intensity of calorie consumption of farm households. Age of household head, sex of
household heads, cultivable land holding, frequency of extension contact and distance to the
nearest market were found to have commonly influenced intensity of crop market participation
and daily calorie consumption per day per adult equivalent, all with their expected signs. The
results generally suggest the need to aggressively work on enhancing smallholders’ crop market
participation for simultaneously enhancing food security situation of farm households.