FACTORS AFFECTING FOOD SECURITY OF FARMING HOUSEHOLDS IN BALKH PROVINCE (AFGHANISTAN)

Food security means ensuring physical and economic access to food products. This type of security is linked to the first principle and is defined as one of the necessary conditions for maintaining health and well-being of people in the society so that people can play a key role in political, economic, social and cultural development. In addition, it is an integral part of human security according to the UN. It refers to the state duty to maintain food security which should also be legally binding. Without achieving food security, other formats of strategic development of the state are simply impossible. This topic is relevant at the international, domestic level and in the context of each household. The global problem of food security lies in the geographically disproportionate distribution of food resources, and, therefore, the differences between countries in assessing this indicator. Thus, the present research has been conducted to highlight the significance of this issue. This study is non-experimental and non-descriptive in terms of the level of control over variables, field-based in terms of data collection method, and survey-based in terms of the generalizability of the findings. The target group of the present study consists of household heads in Balkh province in Afghanistan. The sampling method used in this research is simple random sampling, 210 individuals were selected using Cochran's formula. The findings of the research show that policy and regulation have a significant impact on the food security of families in Balkh province. Thereby, this highlights the specificity of the implementation of this factor at the level of Afghanistan. It is certain that the development and administration of public supportive policies and regulations in order to increase income and, consequently, food security of families is necessary. After policy and regulation, economic factors had the greatest impact on the food security of families in Balkh province. The low level of household income and the difficulty of growing through additional sources were taken into account. Educational and informational factors were among other factors affecting the food security of families. Availability of information, level of education, and, consequently, professional competencies shape the quality of decisions implemented at the level of each household. Geographic factors were another factor that had a strong effect on the food security of families. Geographical position has a direct impact on food security through climate impact, transport accessibility, economic development and cultural traditions. These factors determine territorial potential for food production, storage and distribution, as well as the resilience of its inhabitants to external threats. The last factor that had the weakest impact on the food security of families in Balkh province is the family factor. The impact of this factor can be observed through the relationship between family size and consumption level. Thus, the results of the research emphasize the multifactorial impact on food security in Balkh province. They indicate that it is necessary to implement complex solutions for positive changes in the area which will further lead to a multiplier effect. Consideration of relevant regulations in relation to one factor will not give stable and sustainable results. Thereby, a synergetic effect can be achieved through the implementation of state programs aimed at social stability, development of the personnel system for relevant areas of the economy and strengthening information accessibility.