by Beyene Wondafrash Ademe, Jennifer Coates C, Anders Dalsgaard, Leon Brimer and Tefera Belachew Lema
Original Research
Khat (Catha edulis Forsk), is a stimulant plant grown mainly in Ethiopia, Yemen and Kenya. Currently it is a ubiquitous commodity cultivated and chewed; imbedded in Ethiopian culture and agriculture. In a circumstance of land degradation and scarcity farmers consider Khat as a better small-scale faming alternative; however land disposition for Khat-mono-cropping can be a disadvantage. Adjusting for the sets of alternatives on the land area to be used for crop production and on-farm crop variety is a factor that determines Khat farmers’ household sustainable agriculture and livelihood. The dynamics in relation with rural households Khat production/consumption is not well explored. This study sets out to document the implication of farmers’ choice of Khat production and / or consumption on land use for crop production and crop variety production in rural households of Ethiopia. A panel survey using quantitative method was adopted. Data were collected in two regions of Ethiopia using pre-tested interviewer-administered questionnaire using Open Data Kit (ODK). Data were exported to STATA version SE 12(Stata Corp LP, College Station, Texas, USA). Multivariable linear regression model was run. A significantly higher proportion of Khat consumers were producers (P<0.001). Land size used for crop production increased by 0.2 units (hectares) for Khat consumers and producers as compared with No-Khat consumers and no-Khat producers’ households (β=0.20, p<0.001). The likely hood of having variety of crops is two times higher for Khat consumer and Khat producer households as compared with no-Khat consumers and no-Khat producers households (AOR: 2.00 [95%CI: 1.38, 2.91], p<0.001). Land tenure system and agricultural policy and interventions should consider this Khat cropping effect among households in Khat producing areas of the country. Khat cultivation and use should be understood in a proper context in association with economical; social, cultural and environmental reality.
Journal of Food Security. 2017, 5(4), 148-154. DOI: 10.12691/jfs-5-4-5
Pub. Date: August 07, 2017
13280 Views3534 Downloads
by Katsushige Nakasone and Murari Suvedi
Original Research
Ghana is characterized by obvious economic disparities between northern and southern Ghana. In this paper, we analyze these disparities and economic growth by examining the current farming structure with reference to land use patterns and farming practices and linkages with the market economy. Using data collected through household surveys from 2004 to 2015 in the Dagomba area, gathered from five compounds of 12 to 14 farmers each, the study concludes that the position of agriculture as a source of income in rural areas has declined rapidly, indicating a potential de-agrarianization in rural Ghana. Nonetheless, in northern Ghana, which is resource-poor, agriculture is still seen as an important income source. Because of the unfavorable position of agriculture in the Ghanaian context, outmigration is occurring from rural to urban areas, especially by male family members, resulting in significant change in household composition (more elderly household heads). Changes in family composition and decreased farm sizes have an important implication for food security and livelihoods of Ghanaian families. All these adversities suggest the need to craft farming systems that encourage increased food production through the introduction of new production technology and crop diversification.
Journal of Food Security. 2017, 5(4), 134-147. DOI: 10.12691/jfs-5-4-4
Pub. Date: August 05, 2017
19262 Views3492 Downloads
by Kezia Waruguru Mbuthia, Felix N. Kioli and Kennedy B. Wanjala
Original Research
This study analyzed the environmental determinants to household food security in Kyangwithya West location of Kitui County. Quantitative data were collected using systematic sampling method to select 344 households with the aid of a structured questionnaire. Qualitative data was obtained from key informants and focus group discussants that were purposively sampled. The data were subjected to descriptive statistics and presented using tables and verbatim narratives. The findings revealed that majority (89%) of the participants had experienced weather changes in the study area and a significant number (27%) were food secure. Few households (11%) had not observed any weather change and (28%) of them were food secure. The weather changes observed were assessed and inadequate rainfall was observed by majority (82%) of the respondents (26%) of whom were food secure. High temperatures were reported by (12%) of the respondents (28%) of whom were food secure. Recurrent drought was reported by the least number of respondents (6%) that were the most food secure (30%). Influence of cutting trees on household food security revealed that majority (82%) of the respondents do not cut tree and are more food secure (29) compared to the few (18%) who cut trees. The results reveal that majority of the households observed changes in weather patterns although the percentage of the food secure was low. Inadequate rainfall was the most observed weather change with the most influence on household food security followed by high temperatures and recurrent droughts. Majority of the households did not cut trees and are more food secure than those that cut trees. Environmental factors are thus significant determinants to household food security. The study recommended that regular updates on weather forecast be made available to households to enable them make informed plans during planting seasons.
Journal of Food Security. 2017, 5(4), 129-133. DOI: 10.12691/jfs-5-4-3
Pub. Date: July 29, 2017
9899 Views2608 Downloads
by Grace Nantale, Nazarius Mbona Tumwesigye, Noah Kiwanuka and Richard Kajjura
Original Research
While much focus has been put on rural household food insecurity, with increasing urbanisation leading to urban slum formation, food insecurity is potentially on the rise particularly among women of reproductive age (WRA). We determined the prevalence and factors associated with food insecurity among women aged 18-49 years in Makindye slums of Kampala capital city, Uganda. In a community based cross-sectional study, we recruited a random sample of 573 women aged 18-49 years, resident in the slums for at least one year prior to the study. Quantitative data were collected using interviewer administered questionnaires while qualitative information was obtained through key informant interviews and focus group discussions. Multivariable logistic regression (using STATA® 13) and manifest content analysis methods were used to analyse quantitative and qualitative data respectively. Of the 573 participants, 60.7% were aged 20-34 years, 53.7% were married/cohabiting, 12.2% had no formal education and 82.5% lived in rented homes. Overall 88.5% of the women were food insecure of which 68.4% were severely food insecure. Factors that increased likeli hood of food insecurity were; socioeconomic factors such as absence of electricity in the household (AOR; 2.2, 95%CI: 1.05-4.86, p = 0.036) and having more than one school going child (AOR; 2.6, 95%CI: 1.42-4.89, p = 0.002). Qualitative findings indicate that food insecurity is indeed a problem among women in the slums with unemployment, high food prices, poverty and increasing number of household members reported as the major causes of food insecurity. The prevalence of food insecurity among women in Kampala slums is high. These findings suggest the need to invest in economic empowerment of women with emphasis on those living in deprived communities.
Journal of Food Security. 2017, 5(4), 120-128. DOI: 10.12691/jfs-5-4-2
Pub. Date: July 29, 2017
12169 Views3190 Downloads
by Lauri Wright and Palak Gupta
Original Research
The studies on tribal population is limited. Therefore, this study investigated the dietary patterns and nutritional health of the Mishmi tribespeople; and evaluated the cultural beliefs surrounding food and their potential impact on nutritional health. It also explored the degree of nutrition transition among the tribal community. Qualitative data collection on four relevant health and nutrition topics was completed using diet recalls, anthropometry, focus groups and key informant interviews. Trained moderators conducted interviews using a pre-tested, structured interview schedule. Focus group interviews and diet recalls were noted, transcribed and translated. Standard analysis was done using different relevant software. It was found that tribal people were consuming a two-meal pattern diet with high carbohydrate, low fat content, poor in vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, B12, vitamin C, calcium, and iron. Anthropometric analysis showed one-fourth of children 2-9 year old were underweight and 7% were stunted. Many cultural beliefs existed around foods avoided during pregnancy such as papaya, pineapple, twin-fruit, and iron supplementation. Colostrum was considered as bad milk. Appropriate age for introduction of complementary foods was not clear to the mothers. Chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension were perceived to be high among tribal people. Based on their dietary patterns, physical activity and health status, Idu Mishmi tribes’ appears to be in pattern 3 of the nutrition transition: characterized by labor-intensive work; starchy, low variety, low fat diet; nutritional inadequacies and an absence of obesity. Thus, it can be concluded that little nutrition transition was found among the Idu Mishmi tribe but there were several potentially harmful dietary practices and beliefs followed. Thus, nutrition education is key to increase intake of micronutrients rich food, types and amount of food required by pregnant women, importance of colostrum for infant’s health, timely introduction of complementary foods for infants, and reinforce healthy dietary and lifestyle choices to prevent obesity and development of non-communicable, chronic diseases.
Journal of Food Security. 2017, 5(4), 113-119. DOI: 10.12691/jfs-5-4-1
Pub. Date: July 15, 2017
13067 Views3351 Downloads