Examining the Effects of Drought on Household Food Security: A Case Study of Kanakantapa

This study investigated how drought conditions affect household food security in Kanakantapa Ward, Chongwe District, Zambia. The concern arose because droughts have become more frequent in recent years, making it harder for rural households to maintain reliable food supplies. The focus was placed on three main aspects of food security: availability, accessibility, and the coping mechanisms used by families. A mixed-methods approach was employed to achieve a comprehensive understanding of the problem. Quantitative data were collected through structured questionnaires administered to 100 households purposively selected from a vulnerable population of approximately 200 households. Qualitative insights were gathered to complement the survey and provide deeper context on community experiences during drought. Information collected included household demographics, economic activities, crop production patterns, and how families manage food shortages during periods of insufficient rainfall. The findings revealed that drought significantly undermines household food security in Kanakantapa Ward. A total of 96% of households reported experiencing food shortages during drought, while 97% reduced the number of meals consumed per day. Farming activities remained heavily rain-dependent, with 87.9% of households relying on agriculture as their main source of income and 75.8% identifying as farmers. Although 68.7% practiced crop diversification, maize remained the dominant crop and was identified by 91% of respondents as the most affected by drought. Dependence on maize made households highly vulnerable to rainfall failures. Only 17.2% of households received government or NGO support during drought periods, leaving 82.8% without assistance. Meal reduction (75.8%) was the most common coping strategy. Preparedness levels were low, with 85.9% never receiving training on drought coping strategies and 56.6% lacking access to early warning systems. Low monthly incomes 71.7% earning K100–K500 further limited families’ ability to cope. The study concludes that drought poses a severe threat to food security in Kanakantapa Ward. It recommends promoting drought-tolerant crops, expanding irrigation and water-harvesting systems, improving access to climate information, and supporting livelihood diversification to build long-term resilience.