Household food security : a case study of Daque unit - Tete Province, Mozambique.
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Date
2000
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Abstract
Ensuring household food security is a critical step towards achieving the basic needs
of poor groups or communities. Information regarding a community's access to food
and supply in Mozambique is based on rough estimates, since hard data are, in
general, not available.
The present research is the first attempt to evaluate the level of food security in Daque
Unit, a rural area in Tete province, central Mozambique. Field work was conducted in
two communities, Daque and Bungue, in which a number of household heads, local
authorities, and key informants were interviewed. The interviews aimed at
understanding the local people's views on problems, especially concerning natural
resources management, agricultural production, consumption patterns, income
generating activities, and health status with particular reference to children. A
combination of quantitative and qualitative methods were used for data collection and
analysis.
The results of this study indicate that there is poverty in the study area, which is
exacerbated by high levels of unemployment, illiteracy, and poor living conditions.
As far as food security and entitlement is concerned, both communities have the same
problems that affect food production. Both communities depend mainly on
subsistence agriculture, with limited financial resources, making them vulnerable to
food insecurity.
The study has shown that the nature of the land available to people, gender, and
income status are the critical variables that influence food security in the area. Thus,
the study recommends that government should put in place policies that can enable
people, families and communities to break the unfortunate cycle of poverty. It
recommends community participation in the planning process and use of local natural
resources. Skills related to employment and income generation improve capacity for
achieving household food security.
Description
Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2000.
Keywords
Food security--Mozambique., Food supply--Mozambique., Agriculture--Economic aspects--Mozambique., Women in agriculture--Mozambique., Households--Mozambique., Theses--Environmental science.