An assessment of the contribution of peri urban agriculture on household food security in Tongaat, eThekwini Municipality

Peri-urban agriculture presents an opportunity as a livelihood strategy to alleviate poverty and ensure household food security. However, little is still known on the contribution of peri-urban agriculture towards household food security. The current study assessed the contribution of peri-urban agriculture on household food security in Tongaat peri-urban area. Using a stratified random sampling procedure, 208 households (that is 109 farming and 99 non-farming households) were selected. Descriptive statistics were used to describe household socio-economic characteristics. The Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS) and Household Food Insecurity Access Score (HFIAS) measures were employed to estimate a household food security status. The HDDS tool showed that a greater proportion (54%) � farming households consumed >6 food groups as compared to their counterparts, the non-farming households (40%) in the same food group. the HFIAS measure revealed that a greater proportion (about 72%) of the farming households indicated that they never or rarely worried about food shortages as compared to their counterparts � the non-farming households (about 61%) that never or rarely worried about food shortages. Overall results suggest that farming households were better-off in terms of food access and dietary requirements than non-farming households. Peri-urban agriculture if promoted can help households achieve food security. Keywords: Households, Household dietary diversity score, Household food insecurity access scale, household food security, peri-urban agriculture, Tongaat