Household Vulnerability to Food Insecurity in Rural South Africa: Evidence from a Nationally Representative Survey Data

Sandile Mthethwa and Edilegnaw Wale
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Sandile Mthethwa: Inclusive Economic Development, Human Sciences Research Council, Berea, Durban 4001, South Africa
Edilegnaw Wale: Discipline of Agricultural Economics, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg 3209, South Africa

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 4, 1-17

Abstract: Using a nationally representative dataset from rural areas in South Africa, the study examines vulnerability to food insecurity using the Vulnerability as Expected Poverty framework. The dataset used was large and comprehensive to develop robust profiles of vulnerable households. This is executed employing the sustainable livelihoods framework. The findings show that human and financial capital plays a critical role in making rural households resilient from vulnerability to food insecurity. The failure of natural resources to support agricultural livelihoods emerged as an important factor for rural household vulnerability to food insecurity. Gender-based imbalances still prevail, explaining most of the rural household vulnerability to food insecurity. Female-dominated households still endure most of the prevailing vulnerabilities to food insecurity, and this is even worse for households headed by younger females. Policies, strategies, and institutions in South Africa have not been able to address household vulnerability to food insecurity. The study identified Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal as the most vulnerable provinces where food policy has to be a top priority agenda.

Keywords: vulnerability to food insecurity; VEP model; sustainable livelihoods framework; rural households; South Africa (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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