DRIVERS OF COPING STRATEGIES TOWARDS EXTREME WEATHER INDUCED HOUSEHOLD FOOD INSECURITY IN ACHOLI SUB REGION OF NORTHERN UGANDA: CASE OF GULU DISTRICT
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Date
2023
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Gulu University
Abstract
Food insecurity exacerbated by extreme weather is a global hindrance to achieving the sustainable development goals of ending hunger by 2030 at all levels from global. regional. national and household levels. Evidence has shown that extreme weather events in Uganda have caused crop failure. human and animal mortality. With Uganda's hunger increasing from 26.4°/o in 2016 to · 31 :!~ .. o in 201 R. the prevalence of food insecurity has remained a major concern in the country.The trend insecurity situations have raised questions on the effectiveness of the coping strategies used among the households in Gulu district. This study detennined the status of food security among households: assessed the household coping strategies: and detenninants of choice of coping strategies to extreme weather induced food insecurity in Gulu district.
Using a multistage sampling method. a cross Sectional study survey of :!04 participants who are engaged in fanning was conducted. Descriptive statistics. coping strategy index and multiple linear regression were used to analyzed the data.
Result revealed that majority (6.5 .59°/o) of the households were severely food insecure. As a result. households employed diverse coping strategies as a way of overcoming weather induced household food insecurity. The coping strategics commonly used among the households included feeding on less expensive foods. reduction on food consumption and expenses. reduction on number of meals per day. children being fed first. skipping meals at times. Furthermore regression analysis showed that some socio-demographic factors such as education (p< 0.018). employment status (p< 0.010). monthly income (p< 0.003). and livestyle~k (p< 0.020), and distance to the market (p< 0.003). influenced household choice of coping strategy.
The study finding demonstrates that households relied on food smoothing coping strategies more than other mechanisms and that some social demographic factors influence the coping strategies among households. Therefore. to change the trend. future investigationstions should focus on the aforementioned factors to strengthen the capacity of households through diversification rather than specialiution. public education and awareness. strong local policy implementation and safe guarding of food security crops from totally being subjected to market demand.
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Keywords
Food security, coping strategy, extreme weather, Gulu district, floods., drought