DETERMINANTS OF FOOD SECURITY AMONG RURAL HOUSEHOLDS: IN THE CASE OF SAHILA WOREDA SELECTED KEBELES

Abstract

Ethiopia's economy, which is heavily reliant on natural resources, is based on agriculture. The purpose of this study was to investigate factors influencing food security in Sahila Woreda's rural families. To answer the research questions, the researchers employed a quantitative research methodology. A multistage sampling strategy was employed in the study to choose families from the entire population. Questionnaires with both closed-ended and open-ended questions were used to gather data from primary data sources. A probity regression model and descriptive statistics were used to analyze it. Thematic analysis was used to examine qualitative data. The findings of the study showed that the education level of the sample respondent, family size, farm chemical fertilizer, row planting, tropical livestock unit, access to credit service, crop rotation, contact with development agents, average plot area, Slope of farmland, and plots ownership were found to be statistically significant to influence agricultural production under the study. Accordingly, they were found to be positively influence   food security at the 5% significance level.  On the other hand, sex of the respondents, Age of the respondents, farm experience, and average distance of the plots from homestead were found to be statistically insignificant variables to explain the food security under the study. The study recommended that participation is required in agricultural activities, projects may first target to educated farmers so that agricultural producing technologies could reach other farmers through a farmer- to-farmer way of dissemination of information. The planners should first increase farmers’ recognition of production technology by Sahila Woreda Agricultural Office experts. Sahila Woreda development agents should scale up and implement to enhance livestock feed resource availability in the Woreda. To minimize the lack of awareness among households and the public at large, the Amhara Region Agriculture Bureau should design awareness creation programs.