Determinants of food security in rural areas of Pakistan

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to estimate those variables which have significant impact on the food security in a developing country such as Pakistan. The matter of food security in rural areas is of immense nature and needs to be probed. A number of factors are responsible for the situation. The current paper examines the determinants of three aspects of food security in rural areas of Pakistan, i.e. food availability, accessibility and absorption. Design/methodology/approach To estimate the determinants of each component, a series of models is created, in which each component of food security is a function of socio‐economic variables. Ordinary least square regression is used to estimate the coefficients. Findings It has been observed from the results that the production of wheat, rice, maize, pulses, oilseeds, poultry meat and fish at the district level is found to affect food availability positively. All the district, except Sindh, is more probable to be food insecure in availability. In the food accessibility, electrification and adult literacy emerged as the factors having negative effect. Child immunization, safe drinking water and number of hospitals have shown positive effect on food absorption. Research limitations/implications This is a first study which measures the determinants of three aspects of food security in rural areas of a developing country such as Pakistan, i.e. food availability, accessibility and absorption. This study provides a new road map for the next studies. Practical implications The paper guides the policy makers and experts, showing how they are able to minimize the disparity among the different regions of a developing country such as Pakistan. Social implications The paper will help to minimize the social disparity among the different segments of a developing country, especially in the rural areas, which is the most neglected part in most of the developing countries. Originality/value The paper presents the first study of its nature which has been conducted in Pakistan.