Household food security access, and amidst Covid-19: a study case in Equatorial Guinea

Abstract

Food is of primary importance for households. Equatorial Guinea (EG) has progressed much in income growth but less in living standard, which includes food security. To situating food–insecurity prevalence in EG, this paper researches household food security-access, and its link-cause to agriculture–considering the Covid-19– using the Household Hunger Scale (HHS). On the data, we surveyed 400 households, imparted in EG rural and urban areas of Bioko Island and the mainland. The results reveal a 2.4 mean for both rural and urban Bioko, placing households at moderate hunger level. On the mainland, rural scores 3.21 (the area most affected), yet falling in moderate hunger level; while the urban scores best 0.64 and stands in the food-safe zone. It derives that diet is rather monotonous and embrace–mainly– carbohydrates rice, bread, cassava, and plantain. A focus on boosting the productivity of staples is paramount for Food security and even national security.