Theoretical determinants of food insecurity in Chamwino District, Tanzania
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Date
2018
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
TICD
Abstract
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.
Description
Tengeru Community Development Journal, Vol. 5, No.2
Keywords
Food insecurity, Rank, Chamwino, Adult equivalency