Food insecurity coping strategies among households with average dietary diversity and caloric intake scores in rural Uganda
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2025-09-29
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Thomas A. Lyson Center for Civic Agriculture and Food Systems
Abstract
This study assessed the livelihood education programs (LEPs) of the Center for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods. The center is based at Iowa State University (ISU) and operate in Uganda through the ISU Uganda Program, with the goal of ending hunger in Uganda. We used mixed methods, using surveys and focus groups. The surveys assessed dietary and caloric intake statuses and food access pathways with 454 households (316 LEP participants and 138 nonparticipants). Twelve focus groups conducted with 125 LEP clients explored dietary changes and coping strategies during food scarcity. Overall, 44.1% households had good diets, and 42.5% had acceptable caloric intake. LEP participants were associated with good diets and acceptable caloric intake compared to nonparticipants. Specifically, participation in livestock programs was associated with good diets, and agronomy, postharvest, livestock, and nutrition programs were associated with acceptable caloric intake. Foodstuffs were mainly accessed through home (farmgate) production, especially protein and energy foods, and market purchases for animal-source foods and vegetables. Focus groups identified shifts in consumption from fresh to dried foods like sweet potatoes and cassava flour during scarcity. Consumption of animal-source proteins was low, and foods like meat and fish went off the menu during scarcity periods. Mothers selling their labor in exchange for food or cash, reliance on husbands, use of food reserves, and livestock sales were the main food insecurity coping strategies. Others included profits from small businesses, borrowing, friends, and fruit gathering. These results imply the benefit of participating in LEPs. Efforts to develop postharvest programs for starchy food, in addition to monitoring the adoption of storage practices, will benefit households.
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This article is published as Ikendi, S., Owusu, F., Masinde, D., Bain, C., & Oberhauser, A. (2025). Food insecurity coping strategies among households with average dietary diversity and caloric intake scores in rural Uganda. Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development, 14(4), 245–278. https://doi.org/10.5304/jafscd.2025.144.023
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Copyright © 2025 by the Authors. Open access under CC BY license.
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Funding
The authors are grateful for the financial support provided to conduct this study by the Iowa State University Center for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods, the Department of Community and Regional Planning, and the Graduate Program in Sustainable Agriculture.