Determinants of Rural Household Food Security in Jigjiga District of Ethiopia

Abstract

     This study was carried out to identify determinants of rural household food security in the Jigjiga district of Ethiopia. Data used in this study were collected from 160 rural households in the study area using a stratified sampling technique. An empirical analysis based on a logit model was employed to analyze the primary data. The survey results of the study revealed that 63 percent of the households were food secure, while 37 percent were found to be food insecure. Among various factors included in the logit model, six were found to be statistically significant determinants of household food security. Variables such as: total household income, fertilizer use, extension service, access to credit and veterinary service were found to have positive influence; while agro-ecology affected the food security of the households in lowland negatively. Access to fertilizer, extension, veterinary and credit would increase household food security in the study area by 84, 46, 36 and 141 percent respectively. It is therefore recommended that credit services, and agricultural input supply should be highly strengthened in the study area. The strategy directly focusing on agricultural economy in the district under the agricultural development-led industrialization policy should be continued.