Determinants of Food Security for Rural Households and Coping Strategies: A Case Study from Gimbi Woreda, Western Ethiopia

Abstract

The study examined rural household food security and coping strategies in the study area. Food is required for all organisms including humans, and its security should be ensured.  The main objective of the study was to investigate determinants of the rural households’ food security and coping strategies in Gimbi woreda, western Ethiopia. Cross-sectional research design was applied in this study. The three study kebeles were intentionally chosen, and 309 households were identified from these kebeles through simple random sampling. The findings of the descriptive analysis indicated that 38.2% of the households were food secure while 61.8% were food insecure. The results of the logit model revealed that households’ education level, improper application of chemical fertilizers, land fragmentation, a deficiency of farming oxen, lack of improved seeds, access to rural credit, and absence of off farm/non-farm income were factors that significantly impeded food security status of rural households in the region. Selling animal (livestock), collecting firewood (charcoal), using crop residues, engaging in small scale trading, consuming less food, borrowing food, and purchasing cereals represent some coping strategies employed by households during periods of food insecurity. In conclusion, it is advised that agricultural specialists from both governmental and non-governmental sectors collaborate on addressing the issues to mitigate food security challenges in the research region.