Households Social Vulnerability to Food Insecurity and Coping Strategies in Raya Kobo and Raya Alamata Woredas, Ethiopia

The research was carried out in neighboring weredas in Ethiopia (Raya Alamata in the Tigray region and Raya Kobo in Amhara) and assessed reasons for differences in the food security status of households in the two areas. The objective was to examine the relationship between disparities in social vulnerability and food security among households in the two woredas. Despite their close proximity, similar work cultures, natural resource availability, and land size, there is a significant difference in food security status and social vulnerability between Raya Alamata and Raya Kobo communities, with Raya Alamata reporting 84% food insecurity and Raya Kobo reporting 24%. Using propensity score matching (PSM), the study compared the degree of social vulnerability and food security of households, and the key variables linked to differences in food security between the communities of the two weredas were differences in irrigation systems, usage of agricultural inputs, extension packages, and other support systems. In contrast to Raya Kobo, where 68% of sample HHs use a groundwater irrigation system for agriculture, Raya Alamata woreda employs just 8.2% of such systems. Similar to this, in Raya Kobo, 51%, 49%, 31%, 27%, and 18% of the sampled HHs have appropriate access to better seeds, extension services, chemical fertilizers, pesticides, soil and water conservation measures, and manure. Only 0.9% of the surveyed HHs in Raya Alamata, however, receive improved seeds; 1.8% receive extension services; 1.8% receive chemical fertilizers; 0.9% receive compost or manure; 1.8% receive water and soil conservation programs. In addition to households’ access to irrigation, extension services, and agricultural inputs being much greater in Raya Kobo compared to Raya Alamata, the notable differences in the food security status of households in Raya Alamata and in Raya Kobo are due to the varying levels of social vulnerability in terms of access to basic social services and infrastructures, such as education, rural road facilities, potable water, and health. Differences in social vulnerability and food security between the Raya Alamata and Raya Kobo districts could not be explained by differences in farmland size and fertility. The key factors determining the food security of households are the availability of irrigation systems, the provision of agricultural inputs, and the availability of extension services. To ensure food security and significantly reduce poverty in the area, the study advises the provision of irrigation infrastructure, extension services, and agricultural inputs with strong market linkages.