DETERMINANTS OF HOUSEHOLDS FOOD SECURITY IN RURAL AREAS OF MALAKAND KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA, PAKISTAN

Abstract

Food security is a prominent issue in a developing country like Pakistan. In the modern world, food security has become critically vital. A country with food security has more economic stability and plays a significant part in that country's development. The primary objective of this study is to investigate the determinants which influencing food security among rural households in the Dargai tehsil of the Malakand district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A structured questionnaire was employed to collect primary data using basic random sampling method. Multi-stage sampling techniques were also applied to collect data from 171 respondents via face to face interviews. A binary logistic regression model was used for the analysis to identify and estimated the coefficients of factors affecting households’ food security. The findings of the study indicated that the income of the households head and education level in years  of the households head have a significant and positive effect on food security, whereas the age of the households head and family size have a significant but negative effect on food security. The gender of the households head was found to be insignificant in relation to food security. The study recommends that the government should create human capital through technical education, offer basic health care center. NGOs introduce certain programs that provide cash help to the poor senior households head. It is essential to implement policies that promote formal education and create opportunities for individuals to enhance their income through skill development.

Keywords: Food Security, Age of Households head, Income of households head, Education Households head, Binary Logistic Regression Model