Household Food Security Policy Analysis: A System Dynamics Perspective

Abstract

Household food security (FS) is complex and requires multiple stakeholder intervention. Systemic approach aids st akeholders to understand the mechanisms and feedback between complexities in food security providing effective decision making as global resource cons umption continues to grow. The study investigated food security challenges and a system dynamics model was developed for evaluating policies and intervention strategies for better livelihood at household level. Dynamic synthesis methodology, questionnaires and interview guide were used to unea rth food security challenges faced by households. A causal loop diag ram was drawn. The model demonstrates a balance between food stock, seeds preserved, seeds for sale and consumption from crop harvest throughout the food cycles. This research makes contribution to the literature by evaluating dynamic synthesis methodology and FS policy discussions from a feedback point of view.