Logistic modeling of the determinants of food situation for rural households in Cameroon

Abstract

Based on the validation of a relevant and robust econometric model, this study analysed the parameters that determine the food well-being of rural households in the sahelian zone of Cameroon. Systematic random sampling was used to select 380 rural households. The logistic model was used to identify the factors influencing the food situation in the area. The results from a statistical point of view show the relevance of the logistics model as a tool for analyzing the determinants of food security. The model highlights two groups of determinants (those with positive effects versus those with negative effects). The first group is made up of factors of insecurity which are determinants of risk, they contribute to bogged down food insecurity in the area. They are land conflicts, pre/post harvest losses, terrorist attacks, marital status (widow), donations granted by the household, vulnerability of the household and state of health of members. The second group of determinants consists of protective factors that have a positive effect such as level of education of the head of the household, size of the household, number of active persons within the household exercising an income-generating activity, anchoring of the household within community networks (tontines, producer organizations) and access to drinking water. The conviction that emerges from this work is that the supervision of protective factors is a fundamental basis for combating food insecurity.

Keywords: Logit model, Determinant, Food situation, Sahelian zone, Cameroon