Household food security, nutrition and crop diversification among smallholder farmers in the highlands of Guatemala

Immink, Maarten D.C.; Alarcon, Jorge A.

doi:10.1080/03670244.1991.9991177

Cited by 34 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…Land is a major factor of food production for the household, and the larger the land size, the more flexibility a household has to use it for food production. Nonetheless, farm crop diversification did not show a significant coefficient contrary to what some other studies have observed (Immink & Alarcón, 1992;de Vries, Rabbinge & Groot, 1997). Most crops produced in the study area belong to a narrow range of food types-mainly cereals, legumes, and roots and tubers.…”

Section: Factors Affecting Household Nutrition Outcomecontrasting

confidence: 96%

Factors Enhancing Household Nutrition Outcomes in Potato Value Chain in South-Western Uganda

Mugisha

Mwadime

Sebatta

et al. 2017

JSD

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In Uganda, agricultural commercialization has been promoted to reduce poverty and improve household food security. South-western Uganda, the major producer of potato, has been considered the food basket of the country but it has one of the highest prevalence rates of stunting in children under 5. This study considered potato enterprise as a key pathway for enhancing household food and nutrition security because it has become a major income source and staple in the diets of many households in the area and most urban areas in the country. The objective was to determine factors that influence farm household nutrition and food security outcomes. Through a survey, data were collected from 434 randomly selected potato farmer households. Descriptive and econometric methods were used in data analysis. Results show that household dietary diversity score was low (3.2) for most (57%) of the households. Only 38% were food secure. The main factors enhancing household nutrition outcomes were size of land, livestock units owned, proportion of household income spent on food, and education of household head, while farmer's experience in potato production had a negative effect. The size of land owned, crop diversification, income from potato, age and education of household head, and a famer being male enhanced household food security outcomes. The study recommends promoting improved production practices to maximize land productivity, integration of livestock in potato production, and training women and men in household food and nutrition and related use of income.

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Section: Factors Affecting Household Nutrition Outcomecontrasting

confidence: 96%

Factors Enhancing Household Nutrition Outcomes in Potato Value Chain in South-Western Uganda

Mugisha

Mwadime

Sebatta

et al. 2017

JSD

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“…Similar findings on farm diversification can positively improve household food security and nutrition outcomes by increasing household's access to diversified diets and to nutrientrich foods [36] from own production. This includes growing drought-tolerant varieties that guarantees harvest hence food security.…”

Section: Effect Of Dews On Household Food Security and Household Dietsupporting

confidence: 54%

Effect of drought early warning system on household food security in Karamoja subregion, Uganda

et al. 2017

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Background: Drought is regarded as a leading cause of food insecurity affecting about 220 million people in subSaharan Africa. Drought early warning systems (DEWSs) have the potential to strengthen capacity of communities in managing and reducing drought effects through building preparedness and providing coping strategies. The Karamoja subregion is the only region with a functional DEWS in Uganda. The subregion suffers from effects of recurrent episodes of drought with negative impacts on food security. Despite having DEWS in place, the subregion remains the most food insecure in the country. The extent to which DEWS has contributed to household food security in the subregion remains unclear. This study determined the effect of DEWS on agro-pastoral household food security in the subregion. The study was conducted in Nakapiripirit and Kotido districts of the Karamoja. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 305 participating and non-participating households in DEWS. The effect of participating in DEWS on food security was analyzed using the generalized linear model. The level of food security and nutrition were measured using the household food insecurity access score and household dietary diversity score (HDDS), respectively. Results:Findings showed that all respondents had experienced food insecurity during the course of the year. Drought was indicated as the main cause of food insecurity in the households. Participation in DEWS significantly (p < 0.01) reduced the threat of food insecurity by 23.7% and increased the level of household nutrition by 30%. Better nutrition was realized in DEWS participating households (HDDS = 9.0) compared to non-participating households (HDDS = 6.6). Conclusion:Owing to intermittent drought events in the Karamoja subregion, DEWS contributes to household food security and nutrition by providing households with information on timely planting, crop diversification, farm equipment, drought management and drought-tolerant crop varieties. There is need for DEWS practitioners to focus on information dissemination, provision of drought-tolerant crops and provision of training opportunities to communities for increased production in semi-arid areas.

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“…The other is centered on the household, supporting on-farm production and local availability to mitigate food insecurity. In support of the latter, there is clearly potential for close linkages between agricultural production and household diet among smallholder farmers who consume a substantial portion of what they grow, although markets and local preferences will mediate these linkages (Immink and Alarcon 1991). Indeed, emerging evidence from household surveys in Southern and Eastern Africa support connections between farm production and family diets.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“Filling the maize basket” supports crop diversity and quality of household diet in Malawi

2014

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Food security and dietary quality are broadly supported development goals, yet few studies have addressed how agricultural subsidy policies and promotion of modern crop varieties impact smallholder farm production and household diet. Crop intensification through subsidies could have indirect impacts through gains/losses in income and purchasing power, as well as direct influences on local availability. An integrated household survey conducted multiple times in Malawi provided evidence-based insights into the complex interactions between agriculture and nutrition. The nationally representative dataset indicated that agricultural input subsidies did not preclude crop or dietary diversity. Two pathways of subsidy impact appeared to be operating: an association with diversified cropping for a direct influence on available food quality; and an association with adoption of modern maize varieties for an indirect influence through commercialization and income that supports diverse food purchases. Although crop diversity was positively associated with dietary diversity, we found that education, income, market access, and availability of improved storage technologies had higher influence on dietary diversity. Finally, we provide evidence supporting the need for complementary investments in both education and employment creation, particularly for female heads of households.

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Household food security, nutrition and crop diversification among smallholder farmers in the highlands of Guatemala

Cited by 34 publications

References 8 publications

Factors Enhancing Household Nutrition Outcomes in Potato Value Chain in South-Western Uganda

Factors Enhancing Household Nutrition Outcomes in Potato Value Chain in South-Western Uganda

Effect of drought early warning system on household food security in Karamoja subregion, Uganda

“Filling the maize basket” supports crop diversity and quality of household diet in Malawi

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