Coping and agricultural adaptation strategies for conflict and climate induced food insecurity in rural areas of Northeastern Ethiopia

Abstract Rural households in Ethiopia’s conflict-affected regions face chronic food insecurity aggravated by climate variability, environmental degradation, and armed conflict. Despite existing policy frameworks, empirical evidence concerning how households navigate these overlapping stressors remains limited. This study examines the status, determinants, and response strategies of household food insecurity in the South Wollo Zone, northeastern Ethiopia. Employing a mixed-methods approach, combining a cross-sectional household survey of 388 rural households conducted in 2025 with key informant interviews and focus group discussions. Household food insecurity and its determinants were analyzed using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) and ordinal logistic regression, while coping behaviors and adaptation strategies were examined using the Reduced Coping Strategies Index (rCSI), multiple linear regression, and multinomial logistic regression. Results indicate that 67% of households were food insecure, with 34% categorized as severely insecure. Vulnerability was significantly higher among households with large family, limited landholdings, poor soil fertility, inadequate agricultural extension access, and direct conflict exposure (p < 0.05). Most households utilized consumption-based coping mechanisms such as reducing meal sizes and skipping meals which provide immediate relief but weaken long-term household resilience. Conversely, adaptation strategies were influenced by asset ownership and institutional support, frequently involving soil and water conservation, seed reserves, and livelihood diversification. The study underscores the necessity for conflict-sensitive food security policies that prioritize strengthening extension services, improving market and credit accessibility, and promoting resilience-oriented adaptation. Such targeted interventions are critical for sustaining rural livelihoods and diverse food systems within these fragile, highly vulnerable, and conflict-prone environments.