Factors Associated with Seasonal Food Insecurity among Small-Scale Subsistence Farming Households in Rural Honduras

Abstract

In the context of climate change, a nutritional transition, and increased pressures to migrate internally and internationally, this study examined the relationship between seasonal food insecurity and demographic, socioeconomic, and agricultural production factors among small-scale subsistence farmers in rural northern Honduras. Anchored by a partnership with the Fundación para la Investigación Participativa con Agricultores de Honduras (FIPAH) and the Yorito Municipal Health Centre, a cross-sectional household survey was administered in Yorito, Honduras, in July 2014. The study population included 1263 individuals from 248 households across 22 rural communities. A multivariate mixed effects negative binomial regression model was built to investigate the relationship between the self-reported number of months without food availability and access from subsistence agriculture in the previous year (August 2013–July 2014) and demographic, socioeconomic, and agricultural production variables. This study found a lengthier ‘lean season’ among surveyed household than previously documented in Honduras. Overall, 62.2% (95% confidence interval (CI): [59.52, 64.87]) of individuals experienced at least four months of insufficient food in the previous year. Individuals from poorer and larger households were more likely to experience insufficient food compared to individuals from wealthier and smaller households. Additionally, individuals from households that produced both maize and beans were less likely to have insufficient food compared to individuals from households that did not grow these staple crops (prevalence ratio (PR) = 0.83; 95% CI: [0.69, 0.99]). Receiving remittances from a migrant family member did not significantly reduce the prevalence of having insufficient food. As unpredictable crop yields linked to climate change and extreme weather events are projected to negatively influence the food security and nutrition outcomes of rural populations, it is important to understand how demographic, socioeconomic, and agricultural production factors may modify the ability of individuals and households engaged in small-scale subsistence agriculture to respond to adverse shocks.

Food availability and food insecurity in households in the state of Tocantins, Northern Brazil

“…Furthermore, the results pointed out here corroborate with studies that reported less food availability among families with food insecurity or socioeconomic vulnerability when compared to families with food security and higher income [34,35]. However, unlike this study, Martins and Monteiro observed greater expenditure on food and greater availability of fresh food and culinary ingredients, in households benefited by the Government Bolsa Família Welfare Program, when compared to non-beneficiaries [36].…”

Explaining the Effect of Crop-Raiding on Food Security of Subsistence Farmers of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa

“…Several factors such as food crops, household size, crops contribution to household food basket and crop raiding animals can be linked to household food insecurity of subsistence farmers (Nyirenda et al, 2018;Dodd et al, 2020). In Eastern Zambia, Nyirenda et al (2018) showed how crop raiding elephants of Lupande Game Management Area affected the food security of the neighboring subsistence farmers.…”

“…In Eastern Zambia, Nyirenda et al (2018) showed how crop raiding elephants of Lupande Game Management Area affected the food security of the neighboring subsistence farmers. In Hungary, Dodd et al (2020) reported larger households that do not grow maize and beans to be more likely to experience insufficient food.…”

“…This finding could see these farmers transition from being food secure to being food insecure rapidly. A study in Honduras has shown that larger subsistence farming households, especially those that do not grow maize and beans as their staple foods, are more likely to experience insufficient food compared to individuals from wealthier and smaller households (Dodd et al, 2020). Following the definition of food security by the (Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), 2010), this finding implies that larger households were more prone to food insecurity compared to smaller households.…”

“…Crop contribution was measured as percentages in five categories (≤30% of food; 31-60%; 61-90%; 91-100%). These variables are reported to influence homestead food security of subsistence farmers (Mugambiwa and Tirivangasi, 2017;Sibhatu and Qaim, 2017;Dodd et al, 2020). Homestead size obtained from questionnaire data, divided into two categories: homesteads with 3-5 people (smaller homesteads) and homesteads with 6-8 people (larger homesteads), were also used as a variable that could influence food security in our study.…”