Browsing by Author "Assenga, E. A"

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Theoretical determinants of food insecurity in Chamwino District, Tanzania
(TICD, 2018) Assenga, E. A; Kayunze, K. A
The causes of food insecurity in developing countries range from political instability to environmental degradation, poverty and poor health. While these factors are well documented, the theoretical determinants of food security in Chamwino District are not well documented. The purpose of this paper was, therefore, to determine the theoretical determinants of food security in Chamwino District, Tanzania. The study sought to: (1) rank some indicators of entitlement vis-à-vis those of pessimistic theory, optimistic theory, Woldemeskel‟s composite theories and family stress theory with regard to their relationship with food security and (2) determine the extent to which pessimistic, optimistic, entitlement, family stress and composite theories explain food security in the study area. A cross-sectional research design was used to collect data from 400 households which were randomly selected. Using multiple linear regression; household size, income from non-farm income generating activities, land cultivated and years of schooling significantly (p < 0.05) influenced food security. Further, it was found that entitlement in terms of income from non-farm income generating activities and land cultivated are the most important factors that determine food security in Chamwino District. It is concluded that the most important theory that determines food security in Chamwino District is entitlement in terms of income from income generating activities and land cultivated. Addressing these factors can help to improve food security than any other factors can do. The study recommends that promotion of income generating activities as alternative livelihood options should be pursued by both local and central government structures in Tanzania to improve food security.