Ethiopian Journal of Development Research

Impact of Agricultural Diversification And Off-farm Income on Food Security Of Rural Households in Northwest Ethiopia: A dose-response analysis

2024-04-22T13:35:46+00:00

Food insecurity is a colossal and universal problem in developing countries like Ethiopia and the situation is grave in rural areas. To increase household food security in rural areas, agriculture must be diversified and off-farm jobs must be promoted. This study examines the effect of farm diversification and off-farm employment opportunities on food security in Bure, Dangila and Bahirdar Zuria districts in northwest Ethiopia. Cross-sectional data were generated from 295 randomly selected rural households. We used generalized linear regression model for estimating dose-response functions adjusted for generalized propensity score as treatments were continuous and not necessarily normally distributed. The findings revealed that diversifying crops during rainy season production up to a certain level of intensity (0.3) and specialization in dry season have enhanced food consumption and dietary diversity in the study areas. Livestock diversity has also improved food security mainly from diverse food groups (0.6). The paper recommends households focus on cash crops production to increase income during dry season, and promoting diversification up to certain level during rainy season to increase food security through subsistence and income pathways. Off-farm employment is also suggested as a means of enhancing household resilience to withstand shocks and improve agricultural productivity.

Productive Safety Net Program and its Effects on Household Food Security in Rural Areas of Amhara Region, Ethiopia

2024-04-22T13:40:43+00:00

The Productive Safety Net Program (PSNP) was launched in 2005 in rural Ethiopia to tackle chronic food shortages in Ethiopia. The goal of PSNP is to assist households facing food insecurity by providing them with either cash or food support. The idea is to prevent these families from losing their assets and also to boost resources at the community level. Several studies have been conducted to examine the impact of PSNP on food security level of households. Nevertheless, their findings are inconclusive calling for further researches. Against this backdrop, the objective of this study is to examine how PSNP impacts household food security. The study randomly selected 383 households (280 beneficiary and 103 non-beneficiary households) in Shebel Berenta. To get a comprehensive view, key informant interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with experts managing the program and community members. By using a treatment effects model, the study found that PSNP significantly improves the food situation for the families enrolled in the program. More specifically, a range of analytical techniques—Regression Adjustment, Inverse Probability Weighting (IPW), IPW with Regression Adjustment, and Propensity Score Matching (psmatch2)—were employed to assess the impact of the program. All of the models revealed a statistically significant reduction in food insecurity. IPW and Propensity Score Matching showed a significant impact at a 10% significance level, while regression adjustment shows a significant impact at 1% level. These coefficients and significance levels indicate that the PSNP program contributes to decreasing household food insecurity, particularly evident through the negative HFIAS scores. This research adds valuable knowledge about how effective PSNP is in enhancing food security for households in this particular area. Essentially, it contributes to our understanding of how social safety net programs like PSNP impact households’ access to food. In conclusion, this research underscores the significant positive impact of the PSNP on household food security in rural Ethiopia, recommending further implementation and expansion of such social safety net programs in similar contexts.

Social Exclusion and Conflict in Benishangul Gumuz: Impact on Economies and Livelihoods

2024-04-22T13:44:54+00:00

The objective of this article is to elucidate the sequential effects of social exclusion-induced conflict and internal displacement in the Metekel Zone of Benishangul Gumuz Regional State. The study employed mixed methods with an exploratory sequential design. Qualitative tools were used initially, followed by quantitative data from 16 key informant interviews and 60 focus group discussions. Survey tools were then utilized for the quantitative method, employing probability sampling to select 359 households. Data from secondary sources were also relied upon. The study revealed that social exclusion has resulted in heightened conflict, displacement of people, loss of livelihoods including crops, land, livestock, houses, household materials, and human life. The scale and intensity of the conflict have escalated to violent levels, resulting in the destruction, and burning of 11,822 houses in the Metekel Zone, including 873 housing units belonging to the study participants, on average two housing units per household. The loss of housing units for survey responders amounted to ETB 29,261,704.63. Households lost agricultural produce worth ETB 45,910,369.82, agricultural tools worth ETB 406,535.55, household utensils, and livestock worth ETB 46,790,399.51. The average material loss combined for the study participants was ETB 122,369,009.50. In terms of household per capita income loss, the Metekel Zone lost $68,328,865.30 based on the 2020 number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). Above all, the conflict has claimed 979 human lives. The practice of social exclusion has intensified conflict, increased internal displacement, affected agricultural production and livestock, and led to the loss of human lives. Therefore, promoting social inclusion should be prioritized to foster a cohesive society through intra-household relationships, inter-group interactions and trust-building, and regaining trust in institutions in the Metekel Zone of Benishangul Gumuz Region.

The Effects of Urban Productive Safety Net Program on Household Food Security Status in Gulele Sub-city, Addis Ababa

2024-04-22T13:49:16+00:00

The central purpose of this study was to examine the effects of the productive safety net program (PSNP) on the food security status of urban households in Gulele sub-city, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Data were gathered from 271 households, key informants, and focus group discussants. Analytical techniques used include descriptive statistics, the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS), and the Ordinary logit model. The HFIAS results showed that about 2% of study households were food secure, 26% were mildly food insecure, 49% were moderately food insecure and 23% were severely food insecure. The ordered logit model result also indicates that the age of household head, family size, saving, and consumption of durable goods has a negative effect on food security. The study concludes that even though the urban productive safety net program (UPSNP) has positive effects on the food security status of beneficiaries, it has no significant effects on asset accumulation and livelihoods. Hence, government needs to give more emphasis on creating job opportunities, family planning, and adjusting the amount of cash transfer for participants based on their current living conditions to ensure food security. These activities would help poor households to generate more income and purchase more food for their families.

Nutritional Status and Associated Factors among Children Aged 6 Months to 17 Years with Disabilities in Gulele Sub-city, Addis Ababa

2024-04-22T13:52:35+00:00

Malnutrition and disability are interconnected especially in countries suffering from high levels of malnutrition including Ethiopia. Thus, this study aimed to assess the nutritional status and its associated factors among children with disabilities aged six months to seventeen years old, in Gulele Sub-city of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The study used cross-sectional study design. Anthropometric measurements including height, weight, and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), and Body Mass Index (BMI) were taken. Based on the individual dietary diversity score, 165 children (60.7%) with disability consumed ≥ 6 food groups. MUAC and BMI measurements also indicate 55.1% and 58.1%, respectively, had normal nutritional status. However, the remaining proportion of children with disability were found to have moderate and severe acute malnutrition. 35.3% children with disability were not feed properly due to poor appetite, restlessness, pharyngeal artesia, and preference of food items. More than average number of children with disability had normal nutritional status while, the rest had moderate and severe acute malnutrition. This was associated with difficulty of feeding, types of disability such as multiple disability, occupation of the household head, family size and income level. It is recommended that counselling regarding the needs of the children with disability for mothers/ caregivers should be established as disability specific service points.