The contribution of staple sector to reduction in food insecurity status in Ghana: Evidence of maize farmers in Southern Ghana.

Bc. Godwin Yao Fenoo

Master's thesis

Abstract:

Food insecurity is a worldwide challenge, and a persistent problem and agricultural production plays an important role in achieving food security homes. The study estimated the food consumption score (FCS), ordinal logistic regression and Kendall’s Coefficient of Concordance to assess the contribution of maize production to food insecurity status in southern Ghana. A farm-level data of 145 was obtained using stratified sampling technique, complemented by semi-structured questionnaire. The results show that majority of the households are in the borderline of FCS category with some a significant proportion in the poor FCS category. The results also show that socioeconomic and farm characteristics significantly affect the food security status of maize farmers. Major coping strategies adopted by maize farmers to offset food insecurity challenges are discussed. The study recommends agricultural index insurance as a protective cover for pro-poor farmers from production shocks. Policies that facilitate smallholder farmers access and acquisition to credit facilities will enhance food security and reduce poverty in rural areas.

Keywords

coping strategies, Food consumption score, maize farmers, food insecurity, Ghana

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 16. 8. 2021

Thesis defence

• Supervisor: Ing. Klára Urbanová, Ph.D.

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague

Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences

Master programme:
Agri-food Systems and Rural Development