3. Determinants of Food Security in the Oromiya Region of Ethiopia

The present study identifies and investigates the importance of supply- and demand-side factors of household food security by doing a logistic regression analysis of data collected through a survey of 240 sample households in Arsi zone, Lode Hetosa district. Rather than using per capita income we use consumption expenditure per adult equivalent (AEU) to measure household food security levels. Out of the 240 sample rural households, 53.75 and 46.25% were found to be food secure and food insecure respectively. The empirical results show that out of the five supply-side factors hypothesized to have an impact on household food security status, four—education level, landholding, technology adoption and access to credit service—had a significant relationship with household food security while from the eight demand-side factors, five—farm experience, participation in off-farm activities, annual farm income, market distance and livestock holdings—were associated with food security levels. Depending on the relative effects of the two sides on the probability of food security, supply-side factors are more important and powerful than demand-side factors in affecting and determining household food security. This implies that policy interventions focused on supply side factors need to get priority attention.