Effects of tobacco growing on household food insecurity in Paicho Sub-County, Gulu District

Abstract

The study was conducted to assess the effects of tobacco farming on food insecurity on the people of Paicho sub-county, Gulu district. Data was collected using questionnaires and field observations. The results show that farmers who grew tobacco had on average 2.04 months of food shortage compared to 2.21 months among those who did not grow tobacco. The consumption of meat and fish by the tobacco growers was lower than for the non-growing households although there was no difference in the consumption of cereals and grains, vegetables, oil and sugar in the two household categories. Also, the consumption of pulses (legumes/ nut) by the non-tobacco growers was lower than for the tobacco-growing households in the study area. Conclusively, food access among tobacco-growing and non-growing households in Paicho sub-county, Gulu district was the same. Food quality and sufficiency among tobacco-growing and non-growing households in Paicho sub-county, Gulu district varied as the tobacco growers' consumption of meat and fish was lower than for the non-growing households. On the other hand, there was no significant difference in the consumption of cereals and grains, vegetables, oil and sugar in the two household categories but the consumption of pulses (legumes/ nut) by the non-tobacco growers was lower than for the tobacco-growing households. Food insecurity copying behavior among tobacco growing and non-growing households in Paicho sub-county, Gulu district was the same.