Factors that influence food security among rural households of Uganda: a case study of Kamuda Sub-county in Soroti district

Abstract

This study focused on the factors that influence food security among rural households of Uganda, a case study of Kamuda Sub County in Soroti district. The study was initiated as a result of food insecurity among the rural households which is evidenced by low production and hence reduced food availability, poverty and vulnerability to natural hazards such as poor rainfall that leads to low production which made it interesting for the study to focus on the factors influencing food security among the rural households of Uganda. The study used both primary and secondary data sources. Primary data was collected using a combination of questionnaires and interview schedules whereas the secondary data was obtained from the internet, academic journals, textbooks, and government publications. The data was collected from 96 respondents with the key respondents of this study being the household heads or any available adult. There is a relationship between infrastructure, incomes of households, market accessibility, technology, crop diversification, gender and highest level of education of the household head and food security implying that infrastructure, incomes of households, market accessibility, technology, crop diversification, gender and highest level of education of the household head are significant factors that influence household food security among the rural households. Therefore, the government should promote improved infrastructure throughout the country in order to prevent disruption of agricultural production, promote income diversification through extra agricultural activities which complements farming which will help reduce the possibility of food insecurity since people will have another alternative to acquire food, promote use of improved hybrid seeds and use of machines to improve food security. The government should also increase access to education for the rural people, in order to achieve poverty eradication, food security, durable peace and sustainable development