Analyzing the contribution of crop diversification in improving household food security among wheat dominated rural households in Sinana District, Bale Zone, Ethiopia

Background: Agriculture is considered an important strategy for overcoming many of the emergencies faced by rural households in developing countries. In rural Ethiopia household access to food largely depends on what the household grows, either because they consume what they grow, or they purchase food with the income earned from what they grow. This study examines effect of crop diversification on food security and determinants of household food security among rural farm households of Sinana District, Oromia Regional state. The study uses a multi stage sampling procedure to select 384 sample households. Data were collected using a household survey, a focus group discussant (FGD), and key informant interviews. Ordinary least squares regression (OLS) and multinomial logistic regression model were used to analyze the data collected. Results: We found that crop diversification had a positive and significant effect on household food security. Although crop diversification was positively associated with household food security, several other factors were found to be as or more important in increasing household food security. The education of the household head, access to irrigation system, livestock owned, total income, and remittance positively affected household food security. In contrast, age of household head and distance to nearest market were negatively associated with food security. Conclusions: The study conclude that any effort to increase household food security should consider empowerment of farmers through adequate training and informal education, enhancing crop diversification, strengthening the rural infrastructural development (roads, market centers, and cooperatives).