TITLE:
Factors Contributing to Persistence of Food Insecurity in Gairo District, Tanzania
AUTHORS:
Flora Valentine Mlage, Sadick Alex, Omary Magasha
KEYWORDS:
Factors, Persistence, Food Insecurity, Factor Analysis, Gairo District
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Social Sciences,
Vol.12 No.12,
December
13,
2024
ABSTRACT: The purpose of the current study was to assess the factors contributing to persistence of food insecurity in Gairo district. The study adopted cross sectional research design with which the used data were collected through interview method from 301 small scale farming households from Mkobwe, Lufikiri, Makuyu, and Kilama villages. A multi-stage sampling technique was applied, and simple random sampling was employed to select households. Data were analyzed using Chi-square, multiple linear regression and factor analysis in STATA 16 and SPSS 26. Cross tabulation results show that household size and education were demographic characteristics significantly influencing food insecurity in the study area. Similarly multiple liner regression results show household sizes, lower household incomes, access to agricultural inputs and extension services, education levels of household heads and climate variability were predictors of food security (p p > 0.05). Further results on factor analysis revealed the five key dimensions being economic resources, access to agricultural inputs, education and training, climate resilience, and social support systems influencing food security in Gairo district. The study concludes that larger household sizes and lower incomes are consistently associated with higher levels of food insecurity whereas education, access to agricultural inputs, and climate variability also play critical roles in improved food security. It is recommended that Gairo district in collaboration with national and international development practitioners should enhance household income through income-generating activities, improving access to agricultural inputs such as fertilizers, improved seeds, and extension services, provision of educational programs including formal schooling and practical agricultural training, promotion of climate-smart agricultural practices and strengthening social safety nets and community support programs to provide immediate relief during times of crisis.