Food insecurity of rural households in Boset district of Ethiopia: A suite of indicators analysis

Abstract

Background: Despite several efforts made so farto improve the overall food insecurity situation, the challenge is still a major problem inEthiopia since a long time ago. Hence, the purpose of this study is to examine the food insecurity situation and identify the determinants among the rural households of Boset district. To this end, 397 household heads were selected through systematic sampling technique from six sample kebeles. In addition, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and personal observations were also used to supplement the survey data. Then, the food insecurity status of households was measured with a suite of indicators. Results: The results revealed that 26.5%, 21.7%, and 41.3% of respondents were highly food insecure through Months of Adequate Household Food Provisioning, Household Food Insecurity Access Scale, and Household Dietary Diversity Score, respectively. On top of these, 56.9%, 46.1%, and 64.0% of the respondents did not have access to water supply, not owned latrine, and dispose waste in an unsafe way, respectively. Furthermore, results from the inferential statistics showed that educational status, farmland size, total annual income, distance from health facilities, and the availability of supporting organizations were positively associated with household food security situation, while access to irrigable land, frequent drought, distance to input/output markets, and distance to road transport were negatively associated. Conclusion: From the study findings it can be observed that all the dimensions of food (in)security should be focused for effective intervention. More specifically, those determinants with both positive and negative associations with food security may deserve the attention of the local authorities. Similarly, there is a need for a reorientation of an approach which is beyond a quick and simple fix. Besides, an integration of efforts between different sectors at both local and national levels is sought to bring a lasting solution to food insecurity.