FOOD SECURITY STATUS AND ITS DETERMINANTS: A CASE OF FARMER AND NON-FARMER RURAL HOUSEHOLDS OF THE PUNJAB, PAKISTAN

This study aims to examine the food security status of farmer and non-farmer rural households of the Punjab, Pakistan. Three measurement methods i.e. DIA (Dietary Intake Assessment), HFIAS (Household Food Insecurity Access Scale) and HDDS (Household Dietary Diversity Score) were used to measure food security status of the households. Primary data from 576 (50% farmer and 50% non-farmer) rural households located in six districts of the Punjab is used. Results of all three measuring methods showed that farmer households were more food secure than non-farmer households. According to DIA, 38.9% farmer and 45.5% non-farmer households were food insecure, according to HFIAS, 45.1% farmer and 51.7% non-farmer households were food insecure and according to HDDS, 57.3% farmer and 65.3% non-farmer households were food insecure. Prevalence of food insecurity varied for each measuring method but pattern was same. A strong correlation between three measuring methods was found. Determinants of food security also varied for farmer and non-famer households but monthly income, family size and family structure were important determinants for both type of households.