Determinants of household food insecurity in Tanzania: A Heckman approach

Household food insecurity is a predominant issue in Tanzania, particularly affecting rural areas where poverty rates are higher. This problem can lead to poor nutritional quality and hinder mental, social, and economic development. The study utilized data from the 2017/18 Tanzania Household Budget Survey to analyse the determinants of food insecurity. Employing the Heckman approach to address the sample selection problem, the study found that household characteristics such as sex of the household head, location, education level, access to credit, household size, marital status, and income significantly reduce the problem of food insecurity among insecure groups. Male-headed, urban location, credit-accessible households and married heads were less food insecure compared to female-headed, rural location and households without access to credit, respectively. In addition, higher household income and education level, as well as smaller household size, positively impacted food expenditure among households. The findings suggest the need for improved credit services, formal education promotion, and targeted food programs, particularly in rural areas, to address household food insecurity effectively in Tanzania.