The Effect of Non-Farm Activity on Food Security in Ganta-Afeshum Woreda, Eastern Zone Of Tigray, Ethiopia
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Date
2019-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Ethiopia is one of the Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries affected by chronic and transitory food
insecurity problems. Ganta-Afeshum Woreda is among the most food insecure areas in Ethiopia.
Research shows that participation in rural non-farm activities exerts a pronounced impact on
agriculture, household farm decisions, rural development, income and welfare as well as
household food security. This paper investigates the effect of participation in non-farm activities
on household income and food security among rural households in Ganta-afeshum Woreda, Tigray
region of Ethiopia. Non-farm activity is believed in helping to address this problem thereby
reducing rural poverty, food insecurity as well as improving the overall contribution to the
national economy. Both primary and secondary data were collected and used in the study. Data
were collected from 181 household heads. Household sample were stratifying into two households
who participated in farm activities and households who were not participated in farm activity and
random sampling techniques were employed to select the sample respondents. Secondary data
were collected by reviewing different documents. Descriptive statistics, inferential statistics and
ordered logistic regression were used for analyzing quantitative data. In the econometric analysis
factors that affect the household food security is analyzed using the ordered logistic regression.
The descriptive statistics revealed that 23% of the households participated in farm activities and
61% of them were not participated in farm activity were found to be food secure while 77% of
households participated in farm activities and 39% were not participated in farm activity were
found to be food insecure. The major findings of the study indicate that educational status of
household head, TLU, non-farm activity, access to credit, skill status and marital status condition
of household heads were positively and significantly affected household food security. The study
concluded that were not participated in farm activity is one of the viable solutions to secure
household food needs and diversify their diet composition in the study area.
Finally, it is recommended that governmental and non-governmental organization should expand
access to households who were not participated in farm activity by encouraging households to
improve their food security.
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Keywords
Food security, Dietary diversity, Non-farm activity, Household