Characterising food insecurity in pastoral and agro-pastoral communities in Uganda using a consumption coping strategy index

Abstract

We explore the utility of a consumption coping strategy index (CSI) in characterising and assessing the factors influencing household food insecurity. We assessed 53 pastoral and 197 agro-pastoral households in Nakasongola and Nakaseke districts of Uganda, examining the use of 27 consumption coping strategies over a recall time of two 30-day periods, one at the start of a dry season in 2012 and one at the start of a rainy season in 2013. Four categorical food insecurity status measures were established -food secure (CSI 0 to 5) and mildly (CSI 6 to 20), moderately (CSI 21 to 42) and extremely (CSI >42) food insecure. For the dry season, the mean CSI was 29.4 ± 2.59 and 33.6 % of households were food secure, while for the rains, mean CSI was 33.1 ± 2.30 and 14.0 % of households were food secure. The combination of livelihood system, land holdings, number of livestock owned and belonging to a social network explained 9.4 % to 10 % of the variance in household food insecurity for agro-pastoralists, but variance for pastoralists was not explained by these factors. While the only highly significant factor associated with increasing household food insecurity in the dry season was low landholdings, in the rainy season, it was pastoral livelihood, low livestock holdings for agro-pastoralists and non-involvement in social networks. While our model identified a number of factors important in describing household food insecurity, it explained only about 10 % of the variance.

Relating Seasonal Hunger and Prevention and Coping Strategies: A Panel Analysis of Malawian Farm Households

“…One of the more common strategies is farm diversification, which includes planting ‘off-season’ or perennial crops as well as carrying livestock (Maxwell, 1996; Mayanja, Rubaire-Akiiki, Greiner, & Morton, 2015; Megersa, Markemann, Angassa, & Zárate, 2014; Morris, Mendez, & Olson, 2013; Rademacher-Schulz, Schraven, & Mahama, 2014; Rosenzweig & Wolpin, 1993). Higher crop diversity on a smallholder’s land has been associated with reduced levels of seasonal hunger and malnutrition (Abdalla et al, 2013; Afifi et al, 2015; Bacon et al, 2014; Devereux, 2009).…”

“…Off-farm income opportunities help to fill seasonal income gaps by separating households from some of the risks associated with agriculture (Afifi et al, 2015; Daie & Woldtsadik, 2015; Rademacher-Schulz et al, 2014; Sibhatu, Krishna, & Qaim, 2015). Alternatively, the household may trade labour for money or food, or household members might temporarily migrate to another area in search of work (Afifi et al, 2015; Hadley & Patil, 2008; Maxwell, 1996; Mayanja et al, 2015; Morris et al, 2013; Rademacher-Schulz et al, 2014; Zug, 2006). Similar to the effects for urban food consumers, however, rural purchasers of food are likely to face higher prices in the lean season (Barrett, 1996).…”

“…Households may eat less preferable or lower quality foods during the hungry season or rely on collected wild foods to fill caloric gaps (D’Souza & Jolliffe, 2012; Daie & Woldtsadik, 2015; Edeh & Gyimah-Brempong, 2015; Hadley & Patil, 2008; Maxwell, 1996; Mayanja et al, 2015). In extreme cases, household members may skip meals or eat smaller portion sizes, or reduce household size through early marriage or sending members to live with relatives or friends (Edeh & Gyimah-Brempong, 2015; Hadley & Patil, 2008; Khandker et al, 2012; Maxwell, 1996; Mayanja et al, 2015; Rademacher-Schulz et al, 2014). Households have been observed to sell assets – including livestock – in order to purchase food (Heltberg,  Hossain, Reva, & Turk, 2013; Mayanja et al, 2015; Rademacher-Schulz et al, 2014; Rosenzweig & Wolpin, 1993; Zug, 2006).…”

“…In extreme cases, household members may skip meals or eat smaller portion sizes, or reduce household size through early marriage or sending members to live with relatives or friends (Edeh & Gyimah-Brempong, 2015; Hadley & Patil, 2008; Khandker et al, 2012; Maxwell, 1996; Mayanja et al, 2015; Rademacher-Schulz et al, 2014). Households have been observed to sell assets – including livestock – in order to purchase food (Heltberg,  Hossain, Reva, & Turk, 2013; Mayanja et al, 2015; Rademacher-Schulz et al, 2014; Rosenzweig & Wolpin, 1993; Zug, 2006). Additionally, seasonally hungry households may borrow food or money to purchase food from either relatives or friends (Edeh & Gyimah-Brempong, 2015; Hadley & Patil, 2008; Maxwell, 1996; Mayanja et al, 2015; Morris et al, 2013; Zug, 2006).…”

“…Households have been observed to sell assets – including livestock – in order to purchase food (Heltberg,  Hossain, Reva, & Turk, 2013; Mayanja et al, 2015; Rademacher-Schulz et al, 2014; Rosenzweig & Wolpin, 1993; Zug, 2006). Additionally, seasonally hungry households may borrow food or money to purchase food from either relatives or friends (Edeh & Gyimah-Brempong, 2015; Hadley & Patil, 2008; Maxwell, 1996; Mayanja et al, 2015; Morris et al, 2013; Zug, 2006). …”