Rice Cultivation and Rural Household Food Security in Fogera Woreda Plain, South Gonder Zone, Amhara National Regional State of Ethiopia
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Date
2007-07
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
In Ethiopia poverty is widespread and over half of the population live under poverty line. Food
poverty is more prevalent in rural areas, where the m(Jjority of the population lives. Amhara
region is suffering from both chronic and transitOlY food insecurity problems. In Amhara region
the agricultural sector is characterized by inadequate resource endowments, traditional methods
of cultivation and husbandlY practices, limited access to land sm'ing agricultural innovation such
as high yielding varieties. Hence, there is a gap between food supply of the sector and demand
Hence this study attempts to examine & assess the contribution of rice production to the food
security of rural households in Fogera Woreda plain, South GondaI' Zone, Amhara National
Regional State. Income changes of households due to rice, amount of production and
productivity, food security situation of the household, extent and constraints of rice production
were addressed in this study. Qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection and analysis were employed in this study.
In the process of the study both primary and secondary data were used. In this study purposive
sampling procedures was used to select the three potential rice producing areas from 25 PAs in
the Woreda. In each selected kebele 30 households; a total of 90 rice and non-rice producer
households were selected by proportionate stratified random sampling techniques for the study.
Direct observations, Key informants & focus group discussions were under take by the
researcher for the study. The required data were collected using interview schedule through
structured open and closed ended questionnaires. Data and information made available through
the various instruments were analyzed separately through qualitative analysis on the basis of
descriptive approach/Narrating the situation and quantitatively by cross tabulation / tables using
SPSS soft ware for simple ji'equency distribution, percentage computations and partial budget
analysis. The survey result revealed {hat, fanners in Forgea plain are benefitingfrum rice pruduction. The
annual production and income of most farmers is rising. The increment of the income has
changed the life of the households in many ways. Rice is serving farmers as a cash crop and an
important source of employment and income. The farmers have produced an average of 45
quintals of rice over a Single harvesting year per hectare. Rice has good market demand in
Fogera plain and its price is much higher than the major local crops. It is the source of income to
pay tax, credit, buy clothes and purchases some inputs and for other routine expenses. Rice" the
white gold" for Fogera farmers, rescues thousands of people ji'om hunger and helped lessen
poverty, and to sustain livelihoods. The survey result also shows that households who are
benefiting from rice have shown better income and food security situation (Kcal availability,
meals per day, coverage of food per year, clothing, health situation and housing) than non-rice
producer households. However, there are problems of processing and threshing machines, weed,
improved seed, water & crop management techniques in the plain. The rice production that began recently changed the food security of Fogera rural households
and their family life for the better. Hence, there should be a need for large-scale production of
this potential food crops (rice) because farmers and their families in the flood areas/ swampy
environment are not capable to produce other crops and also they are idle in rainy season due to
flooding. Thus rice with excellent pelformance in this environment should be an alternative food
crop and needs fllrther research.
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Keywords
Rice Cultivation and, Rural Household Food Securit