Journal article

Publication year: 2010

Pages: 179-193

Journal: Food Security

Volume number: 2

Issue number: 2

ISSN: 1876-4517

eISSN: 1876-4525

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12571-010-0063-6

Publisher: Springer

Abstract: 
Urban household food insecurity continues to be a major problem in many urban households of Sub-Saharan Africa. The ineffectiveness of policies addressing the problem has hinged in particular on the paucity of information about consumption patterns under changing economic conditions. Elasticities of food demand were estimated through the Linear Approximated Almost Ideal Demand System (LA/AIDS) and inferences about access to food were drawn. Shifts in consumption were evident when changes occurred in income, prices and household demography. As the urban poor are sensitive to variation in food prices and income, they should be cushioned against their negative effects in order for their access to food to be enhanced and hence their food security improved. Dairy and dairy products and wheat and wheat products were identified as subsidy carriers which would improve the nutrition of the urban poor. These results provide guidance for the design of food security and nutrition strategies and programs at the micro and macroeconomic levels.

Harvard Citation style: Musyoka, M., Lagat, J., Ouma, D., Wambua, T. and Gamba, P. (2010) Structure and properties of urban household food demand in Nairobi, Kenya: implications for urban food security, Food Security, 2(2), pp. 179-193. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12571-010-0063-6

APA Citation style: Musyoka, M., Lagat, J., Ouma, D., Wambua, T., & Gamba, P. (2010). Structure and properties of urban household food demand in Nairobi, Kenya: implications for urban food security. Food Security. 2(2), 179-193. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12571-010-0063-6