Access and use of wild agricultural biodiversity to improve household food security in West African dryland systems

Abstract

We investigated the relationships between HFS and the livelihood assets in the dryland agricultural systems in Koutiala, Mali. We hypothesized that (i) the ABD rich rural households experienced low food insecurity, and that (ii) low capital asset (natural, financial, human, social, and infrastructural) hinders the effectiveness of ABD to alleviate undernourishment in rural areas. To test these hypotheses, elements of the capital assets were assessed through structured interviews with a sample of 180 households, and focus group discussions in three communities. HFS was evaluated using the coping strategy index approach which directly captures physical (availability, accessibility, and utilization) and temporal (stability or vulnerability) dimensions of food security. This draft paper is prepared for publication in an ISI journal.