Resilience to Food Insecurity among Rural Households in the Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

Strategies adopted by a household to deal with natural, economic, and social shocks depend upon available resources and capabilities. Families belonging to different vicinities and socio-economic groups have different earning and utilising earnings to fulfil their basic needs. Households need various interventions for well-being. While keeping in view the situation, this study planned to deepen insight into rural households' food consumption system. Food consumption score and household food insecurity access score index were used for precise estimation of food consumption behaviour and food security level weekly and monthly. Food Consumption Score indicated that households are less food insecure weekly; not a single-family consumes less than required food. But when we analyze rural households' consumption behaviour, up to 50 per cent of the population is on the borderline of food security. Little shock can lead them to food insecurity. Results show that an increase or decrease in income or fluctuation in an economy severely affects food consumption, even at the grass-root level. For upgrading the livelihood patterns and food security situation, a stable economy is an essential factor. Policymakers should modify food security plans according to the ever-changing needs of the population. The national poverty and food insecurity management departments of developing countries should be improved so that vulnerability to food security and food loss can be predicted more accurately.

Exploring the Paradox of Population Growth and Food Resources in Punjab – Pakistan: Reassessment in the Light of Malthusian Theory

“…Notably, districts like Attock, Bhakkar, and Sahiwal exhibit a minor increase in available food per person but fail to reach statistical significance (Appendix -4). Overall, while some districts portray marginal improvements in food availability concerning population growth as indicated by Ahmed and Faridi, 2020;Haq et al, 2021;Munawar et al, 2021;, a majority of districts in Punjab display relatively stable food production per capita despite fluctuations in population figures Nadeem et al, 2022;Salam and Hameed, 2022).…”