Factors Influencing the Food Security of Smallholder Farmers in Madagascar

Abstract

ABSTRACT Understanding important factors influencing the food security status of smallholder farmers is crucial for designing interventions to enhance the food security situation of food insecure households. This study was conducted to identify major factors influencing farm household food insecurity in Madagascar. The data collected from a total of 1,178 randomly selected households from six regions of Madagascar was used in the analyses. The study found that of 1,178 households, 88.7% were food insecure. The linear probability model regression with robust standard error showed that ten variables were significant: age, informal financial loan, household’s independent farming experience, total assets per adult equivalent, the log of total household income, household size, marriage status of the household (single), shocks due to crops diseases, shocks due to weather conditions, and shocks resulting from household members’ illness. With this information, policymakers can target farmers who have experience in farming and education to reduce food insecurity. Keywords: food security, food insecurity, linear probability model