Abstract:
This study examined the status and determinants of rural households’ food security in Moyale
district of pastoral area, Oromia regional state, in Ethiopia. Both secondary and primary data were used
for the study. The study was based on the survey of a total of 100 farmers randomly selected using a
three-stage sampling technique. Analytical tools used include descriptive statistics, Foster-GreerThorbecke (FGT) model and logit model. The findings revealed that about 49.5% and 50.5% of pastoral
households were food insecure and food secure respectively. Logit model analysis result showed total
farm income, off-farm income and livestock holding households were the major factors positively and
significantly influence food security status. However, family size negatively affects household food
security in the study area. The findings suggest the following set of policy recommendation. Identifying
and understanding factors that are responsible for household food security status and its determinants is
important to combat food security problems at the household level. The study findings suggest that in
selecting priority intervention areas, the food security strategy should consider statistically significant
variables as the most important areas. [Amsalu Mitiku et al. Analysis of Factors Determining
Households Food Security in Pastoral Area Oromia Region, Moyale District, In Ethiopia. International
Journal of Agricultural Science, Research and Technology, 2012; 2(3):105-110].
Key words: Food security, Food insecurity, pastoral and rural households
