The household food security coping strategies among the poorest of the poor in Mvomero District, Tanzania
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Date
2006
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture.
Abstract
The key elements to determine food security include availability of enough food for
active and healthy life, the access and stability of food supply. Many studies have
been done on food security coping strategies. The studies say little (if any) about the
poorest of the poor (POP). This implies many studies still report on poor people
coping strategies towards food security with little information on the strategies for
the poorest. This study determines the household food security coping strategies
among the POP in Mvomero district. Specifically the study sought to define the POP,
determine amount of food produced and establish household socio-economic status.
Other objectives of the study included, identifying types of food storage and
determining level of utilization of improved agricultural technology. The study
adopted multi-stage s ampling technique. Before q uantitative s urvey the POP were
identified by using Participatory Rural Appraisal methods. The sample size included
180 respondents. Data from these respondents were analyzed by using quantitative
and qualitative methods, using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) and
structural function analysis respectively. The study revealed that farming was the
main economic activity. However, the activity is not efficiently carried on due to lack
of improved agricultural technology and lack of capital for buying agro-chemicals
such as fertilizers. Inadequate education was also found to be constraints that affect
the life of the poorest. To cope with food shortage the study came out with 10
strategies including purchasing food on credit and borrowing food from neighbour.
The study concluded, the poorest live in miserable conditions, which are attributed to
the low level of agricultural technology and inadequate education. Therefore,
Government should provide subsides for agro-chemicals to the poorest of the poor.
Also the community members should pay attention to welfare of the poorest in the
village by bringing them together with other social group in the development
interventions
Description
The Degree of Masters of Arts in Rural Development
Keywords
Household food security, Coping strategies, Food security, Poor people