FOOD SECURITY STRATEGIES: A CASE STUDY OF HOUSEHOLD COMMUNITIES IN THE BUILSA DISTRICT OF THE UPPER EAST REGION OF GHANA

Abstract

Strategies to ensuring that millions of households have access to enough food to maintain a healthy life is the deep-seated challenge facing the world today of which the household communities in Builsa District of the Upper East Region of Ghana are no exception. This study therefore investigated the strategies put in place to ensure food security among households in the Builsa District. This research used case study approach. Given the multiplicity and complexity of the topic, both qualitative and quantitative methods were employed in data collection. Both primary and secondary data were collected for the intent of the study. Primary data collection made use of Focus Group Discussions and in-depth interview with key participants using semi-structured or open-ended questions. Simple descriptive statistics models such as frequency tables and percentages were the approaches adopted in the data analysis of one hundred and fifty randomly selected respondents in four case study communities in the District. The main findings of the study revealed that, food security in the study households is perceived as having enough food to meet one's family food requirements with varied diet whiles the reverse is true for food insecurity household. Also, household food security depends significantly on household income and asset or wealth status thus favoured among others, the Tengnyona and regular income earners. A low-income household is more likely to suffer food shortages than a wealthier household. Irrigation dams have been constructed in Wiaga to boost dry season farming whiles that of Fumbisi dam is yet to be put to agricultural use. It further came to light that, the Block farms and the Livestock Development Project were inadequate strategies since they are not pro-poor for this reason households adopted other food-related coping strategies. Food Aid has not been reliable and where possible, only benefits a few. It is recommended among others that, insurance package should be put in place by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture for farmers in the District against the vagaries of the weather, pest and other risks notably among which is drought. The study further suggests the promotion of information and knowledge through education, strengthening producer organisations as well as establishment of cottage industries as household safety nets among others as means of tackling food insecurity in Builsa District.