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The study attempts to examine the livelihood strategies and household food security of vegetable street vendors in Morogoro town, Tanzania. Specifically, the study sought to: (1) To document the nature of the institutional environment in which vegetable street vending business is taking place, (2) To identify the type and extent of livelihood assets owned by individuals working as vegetable street vendors, (3) To measure household food security and dietary diversity of vegetable street vendors and (4) To identify strategies employed by vegetable street vendors to cope with food shortage. A cross sectional study design with mixed methods of sampling was employed whereby data were collected from a total of 234 respondents between February and May, 2018. The study used both quantitative and qualitative data. Semi structured questionnaire, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions were used to obtain the data. Descriptive, inferential, and content analysis methods were used for data analysis. The results showed that respondents own various livelihood assets categorized as human, natural, physical, social and financial capitals. On the other hand, the prevalence of household food insecurity was high (55.5%) among respondents and most of them consumed between 5-9 different food groups (moderate 50.5%) diverse diet. Several factors were identified to influence household food security. These include land size (p<0.000), type of ownership of land (p<0.005), house ownership (p<0.019), motorcycles ownership (p<0.005), bicycles ownership (p<0.005), relative distance to selling point (p<0.011), membership in community Organisation (p<0.000) and type of social Organisation (p<0.035). Others were access to credit (p<0.003), receiving remittances (p<0.000) and training received (p<0.014). Using binary regression model it was found that ownership of the house (p<0.038), membership of community Organisation (p<0.032), and type of transport used (p<0.000) were determinant of food security. It was noted that respondents employ a number of coping strategies during food shortages, which include selling labour, borrowing from relatives, diet change and getting support from relatives were common in the study area. The study concludes that food insecurity is still a problem in the study respondents. It is recommended that LGAs and NGOs support the sector through provision of training on business skills or entrepreneur, low interest credits, formulation of favourable policies to support vegetable vendors and empowering them by forming an association. |
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