A COMPARATIVE STUDY ON HOUSEHOLD FOOD INSECURITY AMONG VEGETABLE PRODUCERS AND NON-PRODUCERS IN BATU WOREDA OROMIA REGION, ETHIOPIA, 2024

Abstract

Background: Globally, about 2 billion people (26.4% of the world population) experience moderate or severe food insecurity. The majorities are located in Asia (52%), followed by Africa (34%) and Latin America (9%).Food insecurity puts these individuals at greater risk of malnutrition and poor health. Objective: The aim of this study is to compare household food insecurity between vegetable producers and non-producers, and identify associated factors, in Batu woreda, East Showa zone, Oromia region, Ethiopia, 2024. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study design was employed. A multi-stage sampling technique was utilized to select 335 households. Data was collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire and the Kobo Collect Toolbox software. The Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) was used to assess the level of food insecurity. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 25, with odds ratios, 95% confidence intervals, and a significance level of p ≤ 0.05. Result: The study involved a total of 335 households, comprising 151 non-vegetable producers and 184 vegetable producers. The results showed that 24.8% of the households were food secure, while the remaining 75.2% experienced varying degrees of food insecurity. a larger proportion of vegetable producers (23.0%) were found to be food secure compared to non-vegetable producers (1.8%). married (AOR = 0.299, 95% CI = 0.033-0.798, p = 0.019), engaging in vegetable production (AOR = 0.084, 95% CI = 0.023-0.299, p < 0.001), and members of an agricultural association (AOR = 0.172, 95% CI = 0.084-0.352, p < 0.001).were identified as predictors of food insecurity. Conclusion and recommendation: A significant portion of the population experiences food insecurity, requiring a multi-stakeholder approach. Collaboration between government, NGOs, community organizations, and local leaders is crucial to develop comprehensive strategies and tackle food insecurity effectively. Work plan and budget; the study was conducted from April to May 2024,with a total budget of 34,091 Birr allocated for its execuation.