Food and nutrition security among farming households in Lesotho: the role of commercial agriculture
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Date
2023
Authors
Nkoko, Nthabeleng
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of the Free State
Abstract
Food insecurity and malnutrition are persistent challenges to the global community. The COVID-19 pandemic, conflicts, climate change and the Russian-Ukraine war have exacerbated hunger and poverty rates. However, agriculture continues to be regarded as a critical pathway towards tackling food insecurity and malnutrition.
In Africa, investments in agricultural development have increased in the recent past, aiming to fight food insecurity and poverty. The transition from subsistence to commercial agriculture has received increased attention from significant investors. Lesotho is one of the least developed countries in the world that is also faced with persistent and high poverty rates that spread throughout the country. In the past decade, the government of Lesotho and its partners have invested in supporting farming households by commercialising agriculture and increasing market participation.
However, agriculture in Lesotho is constrained by limited access to production resources and erratic climatic events, among others. As a result, agriculture suffers from low productivity and its contribution to food insecurity and nutrition security is challenged. Despite the challenges, there is a continual investment in commercial agriculture as a development approach. However, the role of agriculture in yielding food and nutrition security outcomes is unclear, and empirical evidence is limited. In light of these, the study sought to assess the contribution of commercial agriculture on household food and nutrition security.
The specific objectives to address the research aim were:
• To determine the food and nutrition security status of commercial and subsistence farming households in Lesotho.
• To determine the factors that affect the food and nutritional security of the farming households in Lesotho.
• To assess the contribution of commercial agriculture on the food and nutrition security of the farming households in Lesotho.
• To assess the characteristics of the food and nutrition security clusters.
• To make policy recommendations on household food and nutrition security in Lesotho.
The study adopted an exploratory research approach with a cross-sectional nature. Data were collected using questionnaires and semi-structured interview schedules. The findings indicated that farming households experienced food and nutrition insecurity differently. The household food insecurity access scale indicated the prevalence of varied levels of food insecurity among 60% of the surveyed households. Individual dietary diversity scores showed low dietary diversity among the majority of women of reproductive age (79.4%), under-five children (72%) and male adults (65.4%). Significant differences in food and nutrition security status were observed between the four districts that represent the agro-ecological zones. The household dietary diversity score reflected that farming households could afford diverse diets weekly, and not daily. There were significant differences in food and nutrition security between commercial and subsistence farming households. Household income was a determinant for all household food and nutrition security indicators. After grouping the surveyed households, the findings also indicated that the food and nutrition secure cluster was characterised by small household size, higher monthly household income, farming for commercial purposes, as well as respondents who are married and have higher education status. Food secure farming households also have access to extension services and credit to purchase agricultural inputs. In assessing commercial agriculture's contribution to food and nutrition security, qualitative and quantitative findings reflected a positive contribution to most indicators. Involvement in commercial agriculture is a pathway to enhancing food and nutrition security hence a nutrition-sensitive approach to commercial agricultural interventions is recommended for better food and nutrition outcomes. The findings also demonstrate that involvement in agriculture alone is inadequate for enhancing food and nutrition security. Since household income is a significant determinant for achieving food and nutrition security, there is a need to stimulate the economy to create income-generating activities. Farming households must also be capacitated with nutrition knowledge in combination with proper allocation of agricultural produce and farm income to meet the dietary requirements for all members of the households.
Description
Thesis (Ph.D.(Consumer Science))--University of the Free State, 2023
Keywords
Food and nutrition security, food and nutrition security indicators, commercial farming, malnutrition, food insecurity, food and nutrition security clusters, nutrition-sensitive agriculture