SOCIO-ECONOMIC DETERMINANTS OF THE FOOD SITUATION OF HOUSEHOLDS IN THE HUNTING ZONES OF THE NATIONAL PARKS OF BENIN

In Benin, most studies on food security have focused on overall analysis at the national, departmental, and rarely municipal levels. Nowadays, food security programs face the challenge of targeting food-insecure areas and households. The objective of this study is to analyze the determinants of the food situation of households in the hunting zones of Benin\'s national parks. It took place in four villages in the hunting zones, including two villages in the Municipality of Kandi in the hunting zone of Park W. and two villages in the Municipality of Tanguiéta in the hunting zone of Pendjari Park. A purposive sample of 144 households was surveyed. Food security classes were determined by the food consumption score and the determinants of the food situation by logistic regression. The results show that 45.8% of households are food insecure, 28.5% are at risk of food insecurity, and 25.7% are in a food secure situation. The prevalence of food insecurity in the Pendjari zone is 64.1% compared to 24.2% for the parc W. The results of the logistic model reveal that agricultural credit, subsistence pressure, hunting zone, possession of savings accounts, number of dependents, and livestock determine the food security of households in hunting zones.