DSpace Collection: Thesis-Food science and Nutriation

Household Food Security Situation in Girar Jarso Woreda, North Shewa Zone of Oromiya National Regional State, Ethiopia

Title: Household Food Security Situation in Girar Jarso Woreda, North Shewa Zone of Oromiya National Regional State, Ethiopia

Authors: MESKEREM, ABI TEKA

Abstract: The central theme of this study was to explore household food security situation in Girar Jarso woreda. To do so, various data collection and analysis methods were used. The necessary data were generated both from primary and secondary sources to answer the research question. Hence, field observation, household survey, key informant interview and focus group discussions were the principal means of generating primary sources of data while secondary data were obtained from by reviewing various governmental and nongovernmental organization documents and reports, books and academic research papers. The collected data were coded and entered into computer software called statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) and analyzed by using various statistical techniques such as frequency, percentage, cross tabulation and Pearson chi-square test. The Household Food Balance Model was utilized to quantify household food availability which indicated that the available dietary energy of households meet only 45.3 percent of the minimum daily allowance, 2100kcal. This shows a deficiency of 54.7 percent. To this effect, 84 percent of household faces food insecurity in which the causes are related to poor access to productive asset/resources. Moreover, respondent’s expressed their perception on their household food security situation. As a result, 69 percent of households are perceived as they are food insecure while 85 percent perceived as they are non self sufficient. Moreover, farmers perceived that the causes of household food insecurity are related to demographic, bio-physical, socio-cultural and infrastructural, economic, political and institutional factors. The study revealed that, high population pressure, land shortage, poor soil fertility, soil erosion, erratic rainfall distribution, poor saving, poor food rationing, inadequate veterinary services, low non farm income, insufficient farm holding, poor cash income, weak rural organization, poor extension services and use of modern farm input are considered by households as the main constraints of both the agricultural productivity and food security status of the households. Food insecure household in the study area develops their own coping mechanism to household food shortage mostly by eating less preferred foods, reducing the number of meals, purchasing foods through selling small animals, grass, kubet and firewood Based on the findings of the study, both short term and long term actions from government bodies, donors and households themselves to ensure household food security have been recommended

Household Food Security, Constraints and Strategies Among

Title: Household Food Security, Constraints and Strategies Among

Authors: Mekonnen, W/Yesus

Abstract: The main objective of this study was to examine the food security situation, the various constraints of food security and the coping strategies of Borana Pastoral communities. Eighty six households were taken as samples from two communities using stratified sampling techniques. Qualitative and quantitative research approaches were employed to extract the necessary information needed for the study. Data were gathered both from primary and secondary sources through specific research methods such as key informant interview, focus group discussion, case studies, observation and household survey. Data were organized, analyzed and presented using frequency table, percentages, graphs and template box. The study uses livelihood frame work for analysis. The finding of the research shows that the livelihood of Borana pastoralist depends on livestock production by merging pasture and water resources. This is supported with dry land crop farming and non- farm activities. The income from livestock and crop production is the highest for the rich and the medium and the smallest for the poor and the destitute households. The poor and destitute households also engage in non-farm activities such as FFW, charcoal and firewood sell to raise income. Adverse ecological trend on the rangeland resources over many decades has inflicted a remarkable decline in livestock resources and crop yield and eventually put households into food insecurity. The finding also reveals that the majority of households are non self-sufficient in food and food insecure and poorly nourished. The rich and some medium income households are food self sufficient and food secured on regular bases while the poor and the destitute households faced food shortage for most of the years. The meal composition of all wealth classes is very poor and mainly dominated by maize and black tea for most of the year except the wealth classes who have the capacity to diversify the meal composition. The recurring of drought which cause the shortage of pasture, water and decline in yield and crop failure is the main constraints responsible for food insecurity .Poor input provision and absence of credit and extension service have discouraged expansion of crop farm. The poor socio-economic development and absence of clear land use practices and policy and low income/low opportunities of job for the poor further deepen household food insecurity through hindering households’ access to assets. Therefore, it is suggested that there is an urgent need to improve the livelihood of the people through protecting the existing household resources from further depletion, asset creation and provision of input and financial credit service and socio-economic infrastructure development. Above all, the implementation of disaster risk reduction and mitigation measures in line with indigenous drought coping response of pastoralists and conservation of environmental resources is quite relevant strategies to achieve sustainable livelihood and food security.

THE CONTRIBUTION OF SMALL SCALE IRRIGATION

Title: THE CONTRIBUTION OF SMALL SCALE IRRIGATION

Authors: GIRMA, KENENI

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to analyze the contributions of small scale irrigation to household food security and income and to describe factors affecting the small scale irrigation schemes. The study was conducted in Gobu Seyo district on GambelaTere small scale irrigation scheme. To achieve the objective the study both quantitative and qualitative methods were used that employed descriptive survey approach. Data were collected from 150 household heads (75 irrigation users and 75 none users) through questionnaire, which were drawn by simple random sampling technique. In addition, household field observation, Focus Group Discussions and key informant interviewswere used to collect data. To get the food security status of households, a modified form of a simple equation termed as Household Food Balance Model, originally adapted by Degefa (1996) from FAO was applied. The findings of the study highlights that there is a positive impact of irrigation because it brings increased agricultural production and productivity, which in a way improves food security situation income and asset building. Regarding food security, irrigation users are in a better position in food access, utilization and availability. Irrigation users are also in a better position in dietary frequency and diversity. About 76% irrigation users were food secured (get >2100 kcal) while only 49.5 % of none irrigation users were food secured. Irrigation, resulting in generating more income, the income of irrigation users is more than double of none irrigation users. The household asset of irrigation users has increased by 422%. Furthermore, some of the factors affecting small scale irrigation were found to be skill gap in utilization of irrigation agronomy, instability of market, shortage of labour and lose of water and poor maintenance of infrastructures. It has been, therefore, concluded that small scale irrigation development contributes for income and food security of beneficiary households. Thus, the concerned government organizations and none-governmental organizations should join hands to support the development of such small scale irrigation schemes. Linking the farmers with marketing system, training on irrigation agronomy, promotion of post harvest technology and making the users aware of effective and efficient utilization of water irrigation management has paramount contribution in food security in income improvement.

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of

Title: In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of

Authors: Getu, Gemechu Ejersa

Abstract: Agriculture is the mainstay of the country's economy and the major source of foreign exchange earnings and domestic consumption. To improve the prevailing low level of production and productivity the use of yield improving inputs is of paramount important. In this study, an attempt was made to examine the contribution of vegetable production to household food security. The study was conducted at rural kebeles surrounding Holeta town. The survey data collected from rural kebeles surrounding Holeta town. The collected data considered two groups of farm households, vegetable producers and non-vegetable producer’s households for comparison purpose. The study found out that vegetable production has a significant contribution to household food security via improving the income of producing household and improving the productivity of food crop production. Different types of vegetables are grown in the study area with different intensities in terms of land and other input allocation, purpose of production, and marketability. The most commonly grown vegetables in terms of the number of growers are potato, cabbage, tomato, carrot, onion, and green paper. The study found that, majority of vegetable producers households have been found to be more food secure than their nonproducing counterparts. Similarly, it was observed that income from vegetable was used to cover other expenditures such as education, health, and wage for laborers. Moreover the study found out that, weak extension support service, limited land holding, lack of access to credit, limited supply of improved seed, marketing and market information, outbreak of disease and pest are some of the most important problems. The drawbacks in the absence and quality of extension service were among the strong problems mentioned apart from the other challenges. Finally, the researcher recommends that in promoting vegetable producer households, continues assessment of contribution of vegetable production to household food security, intensified agricultural farming, problems related to extension service, credit service, market and marketing information, and provision of modern agricultural inputs should be addressed.