Household Food Insecurity and Hunger in Selected Ethiopian Agricultural Communities: Examination of Supply and Demand Factors

Food insecurity and hunger are major challenges in many Ethiopian communities with repercussions on health and nutrition outcomes in vulnerable household members. The level and contextual risk factors of household food insecurity and hunger were assessed in households (n=630) from three rural communities of Ethiopia (Halaba or Zeway) using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale and Household Hunger Scale. Multiple classification analysis was employed to explore the effects of key demand (e.g. household size, livestock) and supply (e.g. land size, frequency of production) factors and community (geographic location) as well as institutional (participation in food security programs) factors on food insecurity and hunger. Household food insecurity was unacceptably high in both districts (95% in Halaba & 67% in Zeway). Household hunger was 38% in Halaba and 18% in Zeway. Both food insecurity and hunger were significantly greater in Halaba (p<0.001), indicating an effect of geographic location. Both supply and demand factors were significant in determining household food insecurity and hunger (p<0.01); however, supply factors such as women’s access to land, land size and wealth had greater influence than the demand factors. Levels of food insecurity and hunger in both communities were very high and of serious concern. We recommend increasing the food supply, and its subsequent accessibility, for households through enhancing women’s access to land, improving income through savings and wealth accumulation, introducing more inclusive programs for women’s participation and reducing household work-burden by significantly enhancing productivity of cultivable land.