Assessing the Household Food Security of Marine Fisheries Sector in Sri Lanka: Case of Muslim Fishing Community in the Beruwala Divisional Secretariat Division

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the status of household food security of Muslim community belonging to the marine fisheries sector in the Beruwala Divisional Secretariat Division (DSD) in Sri Lanka. The data were collected from 494 individuals from 80 households located in 5 Fishing Inspection Divisions in the DSD using the Proportionate Random Sampling techniques. The data collection process was characterized by a number of techniques, including verbal communication; anthropometric measurements; secondary data obtained by means of various reports, records and bills etc., and direct observation of the housing environment. The Aggregate Household Food Security Index (AHFSI) developed by the FAO was used to evaluate the status of food security. The results revealed that the AHFSI of the Muslim community, in general, was 84.6 (i.e. at a 'sufficient' level. The outcome of analysis also highlights that the household expenditure, access to loans, the fishing effort, gender, age and education possess a varying effect on their level of food security.