Compounding capital deficits drives household food and nutrition insecurity in resource-limited communities

Achieving food and nutrition security is fundamental to sustainable rural development and improved household wellbeing. However, food and nutrition insecurity remain a persistent challenge in rural South Africa. This study analysed household food and nutrition security in Mhinga village, Limpopo Province, South Africa. A mixed-methods research design was employed, involving a household survey of 30 randomly selected households and semi-structured interviews with 10 purposively selected key informants. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics in the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 28, while qualitative data were analysed using thematic content analysis in ATLAS.ti version 8. The findings revealed substantial challenges across the four dimensions of food and nutrition security. More than half of households reported insufficient food production and frequent financial constraints on food purchases, while many experienced limited dietary diversity, inadequate nutrition knowledge, and unstable household incomes. Persistent drought, poor soil quality, and water scarcity reduced local food production and increased dependence on market purchases. Qualitative findings further identified environmental, economic, market access, governance, and gender-related challenges as key drivers of food and nutrition insecurity. The study recommends integrated, community-based interventions that promote climate-resilient agriculture, improve market accessibility, strengthen livelihood opportunities, enhance nutrition education, and empower women through equitable access to productive resources. These interventions have the potential to improve household food and nutrition security and contribute to sustainable rural livelihoods in Mhinga village and similar rural communities.