Farm-related determinants of food insecurity among livestock dependent households in two agrarian districts with varying rainfall patterns in Ghana

Abstract

BackgroundDespite availability of sufficient arable land, many African countries continue to dawdle in agricultural productivity due to over-reliance on rainfall patterns. Thus, undernourishment levels are disproportionately high in Africa. Even though they play key roles in agricultural production, the food security (FS) levels of livestock dependent households are understudied. Our study assessed the FS level and its determinants in livestock farming households in Ghana.MethodsWe compared the FS levels of 287 cattle producing households in two representative agrarian districts with varying rainfall patterns in Ghana (dry vs. wet), using a cross-sectional survey. We assessed household's FS using the Food Insecurity Experience Scale. FS scores and categories were computed, and using generalized linear models, we assessed factors that explained variations in the FS levels among households.ResultsThe median herd size of households was 31 cattle (lower quartile = 24, upper quartile = 60 cattle), with a majority (91%) engaged in crop cultivation. Households reported experiencing an average of eight adverse events over a five-year recall period (2014–2018) mainly from animal diseases, cattle theft, and pasture shortages. Most households (81%) were food insecure (moderate = 40%, severe = 41%). In an adjusted model, households raising cattle in the dry district [adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) = 5.43, 95% CI: 1.94, 15.2] and being married (aOR = 9.48, 95% CI: 2.35, 38.3) were associated with moderate food insecurity. While households raising cattle in the dry district [adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) = 4.17, 95% CI: 1.44, 12.0], being married (aOR = 3.55, 95% CI: 1.03, 12.2), and increase in number of adverse events experienced (aOR = 1.53, 95% CI: 1.20, 1.96), were associated with increased odds of severe food insecurity. Household's odds of severe food insecurity decreased with each additional head of cattle in their herds (aOR = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.96, 0.99). We find no evidence of effect modification by farming district on other predictor's effect on food insecurity.ConclusionMost of the livestock dependent households are food insecure. The food insecurity levels are worse for households farming in dry areas, those married and who experience increased frequency of adverse events. Government policy interventions focusing on maintaining healthy, secure, and productive animal herds would contribute to improving the productivity of household herds, food safety and food security.

Access to Vaccination Services for Priority Ruminant Livestock Diseases in Ghana: Barriers and Determinants of Service Utilization by Farmers

“…Livestock diseases impose significant costs on the livestock sector through animal deaths, disease control costs, and restrictions on animal trade (Grace et al, 2015;Nuvey et al, 2022a). At the individual farmer level, the diseases cause significant livelihood losses for households (Pradère, 2014;Huntington et al, 2021), affecting their domestic food security (Dominguez-Salas et al, 2019;Nuvey et al, 2022b), and psychosocial wellbeing (Mort et al, 2005;Nuvey et al, 2020). While the public is affected potentially unsafe food, due to misuse of antimicrobials in livestock production entering the food chain (Kimera et al, 2020;Mshana et al, 2021), and heightened food insecurity from a reduction in the productivity of diseased animals (Herrero et al, 2013).…”

Sustainable Small Ruminant Production in Low- and Middle-Income African Countries: Harnessing the Potential of Agroecology

“…Despite these benefits, small ruminant production systems face several challenges. Limited feed availability during the dry season and poor productivity in meat, milk, and fitness (reproduction and survivability) can hinder profitability [5,16]. Diseases such as contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP), 'peste des petits ruminants' (PPR), brucellosis, and foot and mouth affect small ruminant production, resulting in high mortality rates and reduced productivity [17][18][19].…”