Modeling renewable energies for better food security: The case of the Rural Commune of Antehiroka in Analamanga Region

Renewable energy, food security

Climate change is a major threat to the planet. This is the result of the use of fossil fuels responsible for emitting greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Renewable energies generate fewer emissions and play a key role against global warming. The latter is known as one of the factors blocking the achievement of food security. Are there really interactions between the exploitation and use of renewable energy and the dimensions of food security? This article aims to provide some answers to this problem through the impact study of the energy transition at the communal level. The hypothetico-deductive approach was adopted combining bibliographic analysis, a survey of 50 households in the Rural Commune of Antehiroka and data processing. The results of the statistical analyses revealed 4 distinct classes grouped according to their energy mix, often dominated by biomass. The 4 dimensions of food security: food availability, access, utilization and stability are all impacted by the energy transition. Between 58 and 65% of the variability in the dependent variable food security is explained by the significant explanatory variables. The energy-lighting variables candle and Jirama are the most influential. The prospective analysis predicts a permanent increase in the use of renewable energies until the 6th year. Endogenous and exogenous factors will disrupt this trend in the future. In-depth studies of the structures and operating methods of potential actors in the energy and food sectors are key to ensure sustainability purposes.

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