Factors Influencing Household Food Security among Smallholder Farmers: The Case of the Jordan Valley

Abstract

Food security is a main challenge for the countries of the world, especially the developing countries. Hence, the aim of this paper is to determine factors that are associated with food security in the Jordan valley. This study utilizes the household questionnaire survey dataset of 211 smallholder farmers in 2020. To measure food security, the study employs two food security indicators, namely the Household dietary diversity score (HDDS) and Household food insecurity access score (HFIAS). Two Multiple Regression Models are estimated with the dependent variables (HDDS) and (HFIAS). Both the (HDDS) and (HFIAS)models findings reveal that the education level of household head, the marital status of household head, the farming experience of household head, farm size, off-farm income, and access to credit influences the household food security. Therefore, the study recommends that government establ ish and promotion of small-scale agro-based industries, providing the training services and retraining of farmers, and farmer education, as well as expanding the agricultural unit distribution program.