Mitigation of Food Insecurity in Ethiopia: Personal, Household, and Regional Determinants

Abstract

Food insecurity has plagued Ethiopia for decades. The objective of this study is determining which personal attributes, household features, income-generating undertakings, and regional location change the food insecurity of Ethiopian households updating past studies. Furthermore, the study quantifies the probability changes in a household being food insecure in response to changes in personal attributes, household features, income-generating undertakings, and regional location. The data from the 2021/2022 Ethiopian Rural Socioeconomic Survey have been applied to estimate coefficients using the logit technique and calculate the effects of explanatory variables. Results show that being a male household head, education, having non-farm enterprise, and access to electricity lower the likelihood of a household being food insecure. In contrast, the likelihood of being food insecure has been associated with the region where a household was located, or dependence on raising livestock. The regional discrepancies have been substantial. Broadening access to education, stimulating non-farm enterprise, and promoting economic development while accounting for regional differences will reduce the risk of household food insecurity.