Food Diversity and Consumption Patterns of Rural Households in South Western Uganda

Abstract

It is estimated that 23% of the Ugandan population is malnourished and 5% of the rural population is considered to be chronically food insecure while 35% of the rural population is considered highly vulnerable to food insecurity. South Western Uganda Agro ecological Zone is equally faced with inter-related challenges of food insecurity. Although the region is known as a food basket for Uganda, there are reports of malnutrition resulting from consumption of inadequate and low nutrient foods. The aim of this study was to ascertain rural households’ food diversity and utilization in the banana farming systems. Findings revealed that food availability was seasonal and none locally produced foods and livestock products were not frequently consumed. Households generally depended on bananas and beans for food. Food insecurity was evident as indicated by 79.1% of the households. The age of household head which is associated with lack of labor, limited sources of income, coupled with small land holdings and limited use of improved technologies in production, were the main causes of poor nutrition status and food insecurity among the rural poor households. The study advocates for off-farm sources of income and considering the current climate change, increasing public awareness of other opportunity crops, promoting high yielding, nutrient dense food security crops and drought tolerant varieties to bridge the gap between planting and harvesting periods when food is scarce are highly recommended.