Economic and Social Determinants of Food Insecurity among Farmers in the Rural Region (Case Study Khir Village of Estahban County)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 PhD Student, Department of Agricultural Economics, School of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran.

2 Associate Professor, Department of Agricultural Economics, School of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran.

Abstract

Food security is one of the most essential rural development concerns. The present study investigated the food insecurity of rural farmer households in Khir village, located in Estahban County in southern Bakhtegan Lake, using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) index. Then, the determinants of food insecurity in the studied households were determined using the ordered Probit estimation method. Based on the Cochran formula, a sample of 350 farmer operators was determined, and the required data and information were collected by completing a questionnaire and face-to-face interview in 2022. The results showed that food insecurity varies significantly from one household to another and from one village to another village. Also, the results showed that the prevalence rate of severe food insecurity in the Khanehket and Qeshamqavi villages is greater (35.84%) than in other villages. Laikhormi village has the best food security (100% food security). Based on the results obtained from the ordered Probit method, age, number of family members, education, access to information, saving, bank loan, and off-farm income significantly reduce household-level food insecurity in the study area. On the other hand, the subsidy has no significant effect on food insecurity in the study area. Therefore, it is necessary to review the method of paying direct subsidies.

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