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Factors Associated with Seasonal Food Insecurity among Small-Scale Subsistence Farming Households in Rural Honduras

Author

Listed:
  • Warren Dodd

    (School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada)

  • Marvin Gómez Cerna

    (La Fundación para la Investigación Participativa con Agricultores de Honduras (FIPAH), La Ceiba M5S 2E8, Honduras)

  • Paola Orellena

    (La Fundación para la Investigación Participativa con Agricultores de Honduras (FIPAH), La Ceiba M5S 2E8, Honduras)

  • Sally Humphries

    (Department of Sociology and Anthropology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada)

  • Margaux L. Sadoine

    (Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Montreal, Montréal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada)

  • David Zombré

    (International Program Evaluation Unit, Centre for Global Child Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 2L3, Canada)

  • Kate Zinszer

    (Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Montreal, Montréal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada)

  • Amy Kipp

    (School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada)

  • Donald C. Cole

    (Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 3M7, Canada)

Abstract

In the context of climate change, a nutritional transition, and increased pressures to migrate internally and internationally, this study examined the relationship between seasonal food insecurity and demographic, socioeconomic, and agricultural production factors among small-scale subsistence farmers in rural northern Honduras. Anchored by a partnership with the Fundación para la Investigación Participativa con Agricultores de Honduras (FIPAH) and the Yorito Municipal Health Centre, a cross-sectional household survey was administered in Yorito, Honduras, in July 2014. The study population included 1263 individuals from 248 households across 22 rural communities. A multivariate mixed effects negative binomial regression model was built to investigate the relationship between the self-reported number of months without food availability and access from subsistence agriculture in the previous year (August 2013–July 2014) and demographic, socioeconomic, and agricultural production variables. This study found a lengthier ‘lean season’ among surveyed household than previously documented in Honduras. Overall, 62.2% (95% confidence interval (CI): [59.52, 64.87]) of individuals experienced at least four months of insufficient food in the previous year. Individuals from poorer and larger households were more likely to experience insufficient food compared to individuals from wealthier and smaller households. Additionally, individuals from households that produced both maize and beans were less likely to have insufficient food compared to individuals from households that did not grow these staple crops (prevalence ratio (PR) = 0.83; 95% CI: [0.69, 0.99]). Receiving remittances from a migrant family member did not significantly reduce the prevalence of having insufficient food. As unpredictable crop yields linked to climate change and extreme weather events are projected to negatively influence the food security and nutrition outcomes of rural populations, it is important to understand how demographic, socioeconomic, and agricultural production factors may modify the ability of individuals and households engaged in small-scale subsistence agriculture to respond to adverse shocks.

Suggested Citation

  • Warren Dodd & Marvin Gómez Cerna & Paola Orellena & Sally Humphries & Margaux L. Sadoine & David Zombré & Kate Zinszer & Amy Kipp & Donald C. Cole, 2020. "Factors Associated with Seasonal Food Insecurity among Small-Scale Subsistence Farming Households in Rural Honduras," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-16, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:3:p:706-:d:311891
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Litao Feng & Zhuo Li & Zhihui Zhao, 2021. "Extreme Climate Shocks and Green Agricultural Development: Evidence from the 2008 Snow Disaster in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-22, November.

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