Determinants of Food Insecurity: A Comparative Analysis of General and Farmer Households in Pakistan

Abstract

The study delves into the determinants of food insecurity in both general and farmer households using data from the Pakistan Social and Living Standards Measurement (PSLM) 2007-08 survey. Through descriptive analysis, the research identifies key factors influencing food insecurity and subsequently employs a logit model to ascertain the probability of households being food secure or insecure. Initially, the model incorporates 16 variables for general households and 19 variables for farmer households, drawn from previous research on factors impacting food insecurity. Notably, the analysis reveals that 12 out of 19 variables are significant in determining food insecurity for farmer households. These variables include household size, household income, number of rooms, dependency ratio, access to electricity and irrigation facilities, as well as age and education level of the household head. Surprisingly, the study finds that female education is insignificant in the model for general households, suggesting potentially different dynamics influencing food insecurity across household types. Furthermore, the research examines the partial effects of continuous variables and the change in probabilities associated with discrete variables in the logistic models. Among the most influential factors driving food insecurity status are household size, education level of the household head, annual income, and agricultural income. These findings underscore the multifaceted nature of food insecurity and highlight the significance of socio-economic variables in shaping household vulnerability to food shortages. This study provides valuable insights into the determinants of food insecurity in Pakistan, shedding light on factors that disproportionately affect both general and farmer households. By identifying key variables and their respective impacts, the research contributes to the understanding of food insecurity dynamics and informs targeted interventions aimed at alleviating hunger and promoting food security in the country.