Food security status of farming households in Bangladesh: A comparison of recipients and non-receivers of institutional support

This study examined the difference in food security status of recipients and non-receivers of institutional support living under similar socioeconomic conditions. The study used data collected from 160 farming households in five upazilas in Sylhet district using stratified sampling. Descriptive statistics, Household Dietary Diversity Score and binary logistic regression analysis were the methods of analysis employed. The results showed that number of ultra-poor, hardcore poor and absolute poor were higher in the case of non-receivers of institutional support as their per capita food consumption was low. Rice was reported as the most consumed food item by both groups per day. People with access to institutional support had more dietary diversity scores than the counterpart group. The food security index was 0.95 and 1.08 for non-receivers and recipients of institutional support, respectively. On the basis of calorie intake, with an average calorie intake of 2298.58 KCal, recipients of institutional support were found to be more food secured than non-receivers who reported 2020.75 KCal. The results also revealed that, though recipients of institutional support were more food secured, higher fluctuations were found in individual calorie intake by recipients than non-receivers. Finally, the food security of the farming households was found to be influenced by educational level, family size, number of facilities received and size of cultivable land area. The positive effect of education of especially non-receivers of institutional support on food security calls for policies aimed at strengthening education of farming households.