Household Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Using a Farm Simulation Model (FARMSIM): Case Study of Robit in Amhara Region, Ethiopia
Abstract
The majority of the world’s undernourished people are located in developing countries, including Sub-Saharan Africa. One way of combatting food insecurity is to increase food production and promote the consumption of balanced diets. This study evaluates the impact of small-scale irrigation technologies on food security and nutrition through food production and consumption in Robit village, Amhara region of Ethiopia. Household survey data and a farm level economic and nutrition simulation model (FARMSIM) is used to perform the analysis. A baseline scenario with minimal irrigation and current food consumption is compared to four alternative irrigation scenarios producing vegetables and fodder and aligned with four different food consumption patterns. Nutrition and food security evaluation is based on the intake per day and adult equivalent of calories, proteins, fat, iron, calcium and vitamin A. Food consumption in the baseline scenario indicates a satisfactory intake of calories from a cereal-based diet dominated by teff and maize but limited in consumption of fruits, vegetables, pulses and animal source foods. The alternative scenario under vegetables and fodder production shows the highest nutritional and economic outcomes allowing the household to purchase supplemental food items such as milk, meat, and eggs to meet nutritional needs.
