Food Security Status and Coping Strategies of Households in Inland Fisheries: Evidence from Fishermen from Niger River Basin

Inland fisheries play an important role in economic growth and food security in developing landlocked countries. In Mali, fishing from the Niger River contributes to national food security and nutrition but the food status of fishermen remains a research question to be explored. The objective of this study is to analyze the security status and coping strategies of fishermen households' in Pelengana municipality located along the Niger River in the Segou region. The adopted methodology is based on the food security index (FSI) which is a composite indicator based on Food consumption score (FCS), Economic vulnerability (EV), and Coping strategy index (CSI). The collection of data by survey concerned 204 households of fishermen in the municipality. The results of the FSI analysis indicate all fishermen's households are food secure. According to the FCS, EV, and CSI analysis, 1.3%, 6.9% and, 8.3% are food insecure. The households sell the fish and buy 98% of their food at the market. In conclusion, fishing allows fishermen to ensure their food security through the generated income for purchasing food at the market. The study encourages development partners and the government of Mali to invest in the development of the fish value chain to improve incomes and strengthen the food security of stakeholders, especially fishermen. For further research, an in-depth analysis of the impact of fish chain development on national food security is needed.