Effect of Drivers of Urban Expansion on Food Security in Moderating Role of Governance Response

Abstract

This study examines effect of urban expansion on food security in moderating role of governance response in Addis Ababa. The purpose of the study was to create understanding regarding the nexus between drivers of urban expansion, peri-urban livelihood food security and the moderation role of the governance responses. The study design was concurrent explanatory design. It was concurrent explanatory cross sectional due to collection of both forms of data roughly at the same time. The data collected were analyzed by using structural equation model and thematic analysis. Both primary and secondary data sources were incorporated in this study for complementary and triangulation purposes. The data were collected from randomly selected exurban household heads of Limi Kura Sub-city (woreda 6 and 14) and Akaki Kality Sub-city (woreda 9 and 13). Of the total returned responses, 382 questionnaires, 52 interviewees of whom 36 for in-depth interviews and 16 for key informant interview (KII) were analyzed by using SPSS version 25, AMOS and MAXQDA 2020. The moderating role of the government abate the negative relationship between drivers of urban expansion and food security by 59%, the interview result suggests the need for strong institution framework and policy response to minimize the exposure of exurban households. Thus, the researcher suggested the strong governance intervention through institutional and policy intervention as well as revisiting alternative strategies of inclusive and sustainable development. Furthermore, the researcher also suggested the need to give attention to the issue of urban expansion swallowing of ecosystem service and posing threat to food security.