Impact of Household Extension Package on Food Security and Income of the Rural Households in Tigray: The Case of Kilte Awlaelo Woreda
No Thumbnail Available
Files
Date
2006-07
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Addis Ababa Univerisity
Abstract
The study is conducted in three tabias of Kilte Awlaelo Wereda, Tigray Region, to
assess the impact of the household extension package on food security and
income level of the beneficiary households. Data were collected by interviewing
120 sample households (55 package beneficiaries and 65 non beneficiaries) and
from secondary sources. The quantitative assessment was supplemented by
qualitative data collected from the sample households and different community
members. Simple descriptive analysis was made usingSPSS software.
The study results show that the package beneficiaries have achieved relatively
better food security and income levels as compared to the non-beneficiaries. The
introduction of integrated household package increased crop output by one
quintal per hectare and an average net income of birr 482 per household. The
available kilocalorie per person per day from own production was found to be
1,485 for the package beneficiaries and 1,066 for the non-beneficiaries. As
compared to the national standard, 2200 kilocalorie per adult equivalent per day,
package beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries fulfill only 68% and 48.5%
respectively. Thus, although there is improvement in production and income of the
beneficiaries, own production is not sufficient to uplift the food insecure
households.
In addition to own production, households in the study area were participating in
"Food For Work" activities through the Safety Net Program .. Consequently, the
total calorie available to the package beneficiaries raised by 889 kilocalorie per
person per day and that of the non- beneficiaries by 401 kilocalorie per person
per day. Average income per person per year was also increased by birr 206 and
178 for the package beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries respectively. Therefore,
the results show that, on average, the package beneficiaries seem to fulfill their
minimum calorie requirement and able to earn 67% of their daily income
requirement from all sources. The food calorie available to and income of the
package beneficiaries exceeded from that of the non-beneficiary by 41 % and 18%
respectively. However, in absolute terms there are households who could not s till
even cover a quarter of their calorie intake and income requirement.
Moreover, the study findings indicate that the problems attributed to low fann
outputs and consequently to food insecurity and poverty are mainly associated
with low application of production enhancing technologies, dependency on
unreliable and erratic rainfall and small land holding size. The reasons for low
application of technological inputs were shortage of supply of improved seed
varieties and animal breeds, and the escalating price of fertilizer and shortage of
rainfall. The land holding is also too small to enable households to lead their life
and 2 .5% of the households were landless. Therefore, improving supply of better
yielding and drought tolerant crop varieties, impro ving livestock p ackages,
vigorous development and expansion of inigation, and creation and expansion of
non-fann employment opportunities are possible areas of inte rvention to improve
food insecurity and to reduce poverty in Kilte Awlaelo Wereda.
Description
Keywords
Food Security