Simane, Belay (PhD)Seifu, Biruk2018-07-092023-11-092018-07-092023-11-092013-06http://10.90.10.223:4000/handle/123456789/7244The study was conducted in Soddo Zuria woreda, Wolita zone, SNNPR, Ethiopia. Multi stage sampling was used to select the respondents. Two kebeles were selected purposefully as to their potential to root crop production and agro ecology. 124 households were selected. Household survey, FGD, KII and field observation were employed to get primary/secondary qualitative and quantitative data. HFB model and three food security pillars were used to measure the contribution of root crops. According to the HH survey results, the trend of root crop production in the area is increasing. Sex of the household, age group, family size, education level and number of oxen do not significantly affect the availability of root crops. But the land holding size significantly affected the allocation of land to root crops. The p-value in all variables test indicates root crops contribute significantly to household food security. The major production and marketing problems for root crops are: crop disease and pest infestation, land shortage, water (soil moisture) problem, labour shortage, input shortage and inadequate or low extension services, market place and market information, price fluctuation and consumers shortage. According to all the results root crop contributes significantly to HH food security. Thus its production has to get more attention.enFood SecurityThesis