Household vulnerability to food insecurity during the Covid-19 pandemic: a case of rural South Africa.

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has been one of the most challenging health crises of the 21st century. Not only did it affect the health condition of individuals, but it also affected the economy, leaving governments devastated and households destitute. While trying to lower the transmission of the virus, various restrictions were imposed, and this led to a food security crisis. In order to determine home susceptibility to household food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic, this study employed a logit econometric technique. The four pillars established by the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) were utilized to comprehend the nature of food availability, accessibility, utility, and stability in order to deepen our grasp of food security. The study focused on food availability and accessibility for households. The study utilised the theoretical approach Sustainable Livelihood Framework (SLF), capital endowments. These are resources used by households to remain food resilient. Food insecurity was one of the consequences of COVID-19, specifically its impact on household capital endowments and livelihood strategies. Utilizing cross-sectional panel data from the Department of Statistics South Africa, this study used a quantitative methodology (StatsSA). The General Household Survey (GHS) 2020 from StatsSA was conducted across the country’s nine provinces. Using descriptive analysis to show the trends in food security, as well as the logit model, the study used a binary dependent variable with five asset classes of the capital endowments and vulnerabilities affecting households as empirical evidence of food insecurity in rural areas in South Africa. With the challenges brought about by the pandemic, rural households had to adjust to new methods of living. The results show that the households’ possession of the asset classes played a significant role in their ability to secure food during the Covid-19 pandemic. For example, households that were led by educated and economically active members were able to secure food during the pandemic compared to those that were not. A home that acquired its own income without relying on remittances was able to obtain food even during times when movement was restricted. Food security depended on the head of the home. Male-headed households were more likely to have access to food than female-headed households.