Food security status of rural households in Makhado municipality of South Africa before and during the COVID-19 induced restrictions: HFIAS and HDDS approaches

Abstract

The study aimed to analyse how COVID-19-induced restrictions have affected rural household food security in Makhado local municipality of Limpopo province. The study used purposive sampling and proportional random sampling, and primary data was collected from 139 rural households using a questionnaire. Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS), Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS) and multiple linear regression model were used to analyse the effects of COVID-19-induced restrictions towards household food security. Based on the results, the study concludes that, food insecurity increased among rural households during the COVID-19 pandemic, and they were concerned about not having enough food. The COVID-19 pandemic robbed many people of their constitutionally protected right to sufficient food, weakening efforts to achieve "Zero Hunger" by 2030 under the National Development Plan and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.