Measurement and determinants of food security in rural households: an empirical application from Punjab, Pakistan

:  

Abstract

Food security remains a fundamental global challenge, particularly for rural households in developing economies. This dissertation investigates food security measurement tools and determinants, with an empirical application to Punjab, Pakistan. The study addresses gaps in food security assessment by developing a multidimensional measurement tool that incorporates various dimensions of food security, moving beyond proxy indicators to direct assessments. Using a large-scale representative survey of 1,152 respondents conducted in 2019, this research systematically examines the accuracy and applicability of food security metrics. The thesis comprises three core chapters. Chapter Two provides a comprehensive systematic review of global food security measurement tools, evaluating their strengths and weaknesses across different socio-economic contexts. Chapter Three introduces a novel, unified scoring approach to assess food insecurity, emphasizing its ability to offer granular insights into regional disparities. This tool, grounded in food security scores, facilitates comparisons at regional, national, and international levels. Empirical testing in Punjab reveals significant mismatches between different dimensions, underscoring the necessity of complementary indicators rather than single metrics. Chapter Four identifies the determinants of food insecurity using the developed multidimensional scoring framework. Findings indicate that food security determinants vary significantly across dimensions and geographic regions, highlighting the inadequacy of one-size-fits-all policy approaches. These insights are critical for policymakers seeking to design effective interventions tailored to local contexts. By bridging theoretical frameworks with practical applications, this research contributes to methodological advancements in food security measurement. The findings emphasize the need for robust, multidimensional approaches to address food insecurity challenges, informing global policy discussions and sustainable development strategies aimed at achieving SDG2—zero hunger by 2030

Date of Award	Jul 2025
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Queen's University Belfast
Supervisor	George Hutchinson (Supervisor) & Martina Bozzola (Supervisor)