Regional distribution of food security and its determinants across regions of the Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

This study was designed to investigate the differences in food security status and its determinants in the regions of the Punjab province (i.e. North, Central and South) of Pakistan. Primary data was collected from 576 rural households situated in six districts (two districts from each region) of the Punjab. Dietary intake assessment (DIA) method was used to examine food security status of the sample households. Results of the study show that food insecurity was highest in South Punjab where 53.6% of the households were found to be food insecure. While, 43.8% and 30.2% of the households were found food insecure in Central and North Punjab respectively. Results of logistic regression model revealed that determinants of food security vary significantly across regions but income of the households was found positively associated with food security status across all the regions while family structure was found negatively associated with food security status. Livestock asset, ownership of agricultural land and family size were found to be significant determinants of food security for Central and South Punjab.