Household food production

To obtain a complete understanding of food security in a region, it is not sufficient to examine only food consumption. Information about the production side is necessary as well. Grain equivalents enable evaluators and researchers to capture production of the most important crops with one unit of measurement, thus making it easier to set targets and to compare.

This indicator measures raw, unprocessed and cleaned crops: crops are measured in their original form, but after disposing of non-consumable parts. E.g. peanuts are being measured without their shell. It also measures the entire food production per household, regardless of the purpose of the food (consumption, sale, etc.).

Prepare: It is important to contextualize the questions proposed in the E-Questionnaire (Kobo). Not all crops may be grown in all regions. Also, in some contexts it will be difficult to esimate product quantity in kilograms. Adapt the survey to appropriate measures, but keep in mind that you have to calculate the grain equivalent using kilograms.

Data gathering can be done using a contextualized E-Questionnaire (Kobo). If estimating crop production is difficult, it may be useful to gather data during, or directly after the harvest season.

Calculate the average food production:

1. per crop and per farmer: multiply the quantity of produce (in kg) with the appropriate grain equivalent.
2. sum up the food production of all crops (in grain equivalents) per household.
3. sum up the total scores of all households.
4. divide the total food production of all households by the number of households to get the average household food production (indicator value).

Methodological notes:

• A guiding list of the main staple crops with their calorie content per kg and grain equivalent can be found in the attached document.
• An average family of 6 people (adult male and female plus 4 children) needs about 1200 kg a year of grain equivalents to meet the minimum dietary energy requirements in kcal. Example (see attached document): if rice is the main food, a family of 6 persons needs about 1200/0.95 = 1265 kg rice per year for consumption.
• Some crops have a lower energy content on a 100-g basis, but production in ton per hectare is considerably higher. Cassava shows very efficient energy production per hectare, ranking before maize, rice, sorghum and wheat.
• For any missing crops: Check the mentioned website in the attached document for calculating the correct grain equivalent factor.