General Agricultural and Biological Sciences, Development, Food Science, Economics, Econometrics and Finance
5
Scopus Publications
47
Scholar Citations
4
Scholar h-index
1
Scholar i10-index
Scopus Publications
Household Food Insecurity and Coping Strategy in War-Torn Hawzien District, Tigray Regional State, Ethiopia Gebremichael Gebretinsae, Alemu Addisu, Gebrehiwot Weldegebrial, Aregawi Beyene Journal of Nutrition and Food Security, 2026 Background: The Tigray war, characterised by the deliberate targeting of food systems, created a severe humanitarian crisis. However, empirical evidence on household-level food security during the conflict is limited. This study aimed to examine the food security status and coping mechanisms of households during the war. Method: Primary data were collected from 219 households from the Hawzien district, which were randomly chosen from three peasant associations within the district. Furthermore, data were collected from a household survey and focus group discussions. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Results: The findings reveal a catastrophic level of food insecurity: 94.1% of households were classified as food-insecure. To survive, households resorted to negative coping strategies, most notably relying on less preferred foods (97.2%), selling productive assets (90%), and consuming seed stock intended for planting (62.5%). Conclusion: The war has not only caused immediate, widespread food insecurity but has also forced households into survival strategies that actively erode their productive base and long-term resilience.
Impact of potato business on household food security: An empirical study from Tigray regional state, Ethiopia Beyene Bsrat, Aregawi, Manjur Gebru, Kebede, Hailekiros Ayele, Tekleyohannes, Gebrehiwot Lema, Goitom Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development in the Tropics and Subtropics Supplement, 2025 Food insecurity remains a persistent global challenge, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. However, the role of cash crops in influencing household food security continues to be debated. To address this gap, this study examines the impact of potato cash crop production on household food security in the Atsbi Wonberta District of Tigray Regional State, Ethiopia. A comprehensive survey of 173 households was conducted. The study employed a binary probit model to analyze factors influencing farmers’ participation in potato production and used propensity score matching to assess the impact of this participation on food security. The results show that factors such as oxen ownership, educational attainment, access to irrigated land, and training opportunities were positively associated with farmers’ involvement in potato production. Furthermore, participation in potato production significantly improved household income and food security. Based on these results, the study recommends the implementation of capacity-building initiatives, including targeted training programmes for smallholder farmers. In addition, governments and stakeholders should prioritise investment in rural infrastructure and irrigation development to increase the positive impact of potato production on household food security.
Factors affecting urban households’ participation in home gardens: the case of Mekelle City, Tigray Region, Ethiopia Aregawi Beyene, Azeb Gebreegziabher, Zenebe Abraha, Tsahaynesh Hagos, Yohansu Girmay European Journal of Horticultural Science, 2025 Home gardening is a means of food production and for enhancing household food security. The people of Tigray used home gardens as a means of survival during the war and siege, particularly in the urban areas. However, there is a lack of empirical studies on factors affecting the participation of urban households in home gardening practice. Hence, this study intended to examine the factors affecting the participation of urban households in home gardening practice in Mekelle city. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 264 households. Data were collected from 264 (171 users and 93 non-users of home gardens) randomly selected participants through a structured questionnaire and focus group discussion. The collected data were analysed using descriptive statistics, and a probit model was used to identify the factors affecting the participation of urban households in home gardening practice. Accordingly, the result from the probit model indicates that government motivation and access to land, income, education, extension service and input significantly influence home gardening. There are significant socioeconomic differences between home garden users and non-users, with users being older, having larger families, higher incomes and better education. Access to resources like land and agricultural inputs is markedly greater for users, emphasizing the role of socioeconomic factors in gardening participation. Hence, facilitating access to seeds and inputs and organizing training on sustainable practices will empower urban households to adopt home gardening. Significance of the study What is already known on this subject? Home gardening has long been recognized as a vital strategy for enhancing household food security, particularly in developing countries. It provides a sustainable means of food production, contributing to dietary diversity, income generation and environmental sustainability. Previous studies have highlighted the role of home gardens in mitigating food insecurity, especially in rural areas of Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. However, much of the existing research has focused on rural contexts, with limited attention given to urban settings. In addition, while the benefits of home gardening are well-documented, there is a lack of empirical evidence on the factors that influence urban households' participation in home gardening practices, particularly in regions affected by conflict and economic instability. What are the new findings? The findings reveal that government motivation, access to land, household income, education level and extension services and availability of agricultural inputs are significant factors influencing participation in home gardening. What are the expected impacts on horticulture? The findings of this study have several important implications for horticulture, particularly in urban settings. First, the study emphasizes the need for targeted government interventions, such as awareness campaigns, financial support and the provision of seeds and inputs, to encourage urban households to adopt home gardening. Second, the study highlights the importance of education and training programmes in increasing household participation in home gardening. Finally, the study underscores the potential of home gardening to enhance food security, improve nutrition, and contribute to household economies in urban areas, particularly in regions affected by conflict and economic instability. These findings will inform policymakers and development practitioners in designing effective strategies to promote urban horticulture.
Impact of home garden practices on urban households food security dimensions during the Tigray War: the case of Mekelle City, Ethiopia Azeb Gebreigziabher, Aregawi Beyene, Zenebe Abraha, Woldegebreal Zeweld, Teklay Negash, Leake Gebreslassie, Guesh Endrias, Tsahaynesh Hagos, Gebremedhin Mamoy, Abrhaley Redae, Abrhaley Gebrehiwot, Wolie Gebremicheal International Journal of Vegetable Science, 2025 The people of Tigray used home gardens as a means of survival during the war and siege, particularly in the urban areas. However, systematic research on the effects of home garden practices on food security during the Tigray War remains notably scarce. This study examines the impact of home garden practices on the dimensions of food security, such as availability, accessibility, and utilization, among urban households in Mekelle City during the Tigray War. Data were collected from 264 (171 users and 93 non-users of home gardens) randomly selected through household surveys and Focus Group Discussion (FGD). The quantitative data were analyzed using simple descriptive statistics and an Inverse Probability Weighted Regression Adjustment model. The qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results indicate that home gardens significantly improved availability and utilization, though accessibility remained unaffected, underscoring their critical role in mitigating food insecurity during conflict. Therefore, the government, in collaboration with non-governmental organizations, should promote home garden practices as a strategy to achieve food security during challenging periods.
Adoption of road water harvesting practices and their impacts: Evidence from a semi-arid region of Ethiopia Kebede Manjur Gebru, Kifle Woldearegay, Frank van Steenbergen, Aregawi Beyene, Letty Fajardo Vera, Kidane Tesfay Gebreegziabher, Taye Alemayhu Sustainability Switzerland, 2020 In the drylands of Ethiopia, several road water harvesting practices (RWHP) have been used to supplement rain-fed agriculture. However, factors affecting adoption of RWHP and their impacts were not studied systematically. Understanding the factors influencing the adoption of RWHP for sustainable agricultural intensification and climate resilience is critical to promoting such technologies. This paper investigates the impacts of using rural roads to harvest rainwater runoff and the factors causing farmers to adopt the practice. Road water harvesting is considered a possible mechanism for transformative climate change adaptation. By systematically capturing rainfall with rural road infrastructure, rain-related road damage is reduced, erosion and landscape degradation due to road development is lessened, and farm incomes increase due to the beneficial use of harvested water, resulting in an increased climate change resilience. This paper uses a binary probit model and propensity score matching methods based on a household survey of 159 households and 603 plots. The results of the probit model show that the education level of the household, family labor, access to markets, and distance of the farming plot from the farmer’s dwelling are statistically significant in explaining farmers’ adoption of RWHP in the study area. The casual impact estimation from the propensity score matching suggests that RWHP has positive and significant impacts on input uses (farmyard manure and fertilizer), crop yield, and farm income among the sample households.
RECENT SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Household food insecurity and coping strategy in war-torn Hawzien District, Tigray Regional State, Ethiopia G Gebretinsae, A Addisu, G Weldegebrial, A Beyene Journal of Nutrition and Food Security , 2026 2026
Factors affecting urban households’ participation in home gardens: the case of Mekelle City, Tigray Region, Ethiopia YG Aregawi Beyene , Azeb Gebreegziabher, Zenebe Abraha , Tsahaynesh Hagos European Journal of Horticultural Science 90 (1) , 2025 2025
Impact of home garden practices on urban households food security dimensions during the Tigray War: the case of Mekelle City, Ethiopia A Gebreigziabher, A Beyene, Z Abraha, W Zeweld, T Negash, ... International Journal of Vegetable Science 31 (4), 439-467 , 2025 2025 Citations: 5
Impact of potato business on household food security: An empirical study from Tigray regional state, Ethiopia AB Bsrat, KM Gebru, TH Ayele, GG Lema Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development in the Tropics and Subtropics … , 2025 2025 Citations: 5
Household Food Security Status and Its Determinant: Case of Atsbi District, Tigray Regional state, Ethiopia A Beyene, KM Gebru, T Hailekiros, A Gebreegziabher Journal of Food Security 12 (3), 59-65 , 2024 2024 Citations: 7
Adoption of road water harvesting practices and their impacts: Evidence from a semi-arid region of Ethiopia KM Gebru, K Woldearegay, F van Steenbergen, A Beyene, LF Vera, ... Sustainability 12 (21), 8914 , 2020 2020 Citations: 26
The Role of Agricultural Extension Services on Increasing Food Crop Productivity of Smallholder Farmers in Case of Atsbi Womberta Woreda, Eastern Tigray, and Ethiopia A Beyene St. Mary's University , 2017 2017 Citations: 4
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Adoption of road water harvesting practices and their impacts: Evidence from a semi-arid region of Ethiopia KM Gebru, K Woldearegay, F van Steenbergen, A Beyene, LF Vera, ... Sustainability 12 (21), 8914 , 2020 2020 Citations: 26
Household Food Security Status and Its Determinant: Case of Atsbi District, Tigray Regional state, Ethiopia A Beyene, KM Gebru, T Hailekiros, A Gebreegziabher Journal of Food Security 12 (3), 59-65 , 2024 2024 Citations: 7
Impact of home garden practices on urban households food security dimensions during the Tigray War: the case of Mekelle City, Ethiopia A Gebreigziabher, A Beyene, Z Abraha, W Zeweld, T Negash, ... International Journal of Vegetable Science 31 (4), 439-467 , 2025 2025 Citations: 5
Impact of potato business on household food security: An empirical study from Tigray regional state, Ethiopia AB Bsrat, KM Gebru, TH Ayele, GG Lema Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development in the Tropics and Subtropics … , 2025 2025 Citations: 5
The Role of Agricultural Extension Services on Increasing Food Crop Productivity of Smallholder Farmers in Case of Atsbi Womberta Woreda, Eastern Tigray, and Ethiopia A Beyene St. Mary's University , 2017 2017 Citations: 4
Household food insecurity and coping strategy in war-torn Hawzien District, Tigray Regional State, Ethiopia G Gebretinsae, A Addisu, G Weldegebrial, A Beyene Journal of Nutrition and Food Security , 2026 2026
Factors affecting urban households’ participation in home gardens: the case of Mekelle City, Tigray Region, Ethiopia YG Aregawi Beyene , Azeb Gebreegziabher, Zenebe Abraha , Tsahaynesh Hagos European Journal of Horticultural Science 90 (1) , 2025 2025
