Food security problem and measurement of household food security in Turkey: case of Adana province

In this study, the issue of food security and conditions of food security in Turkey were evaluated in terms of food availability, accessibility, sustainability and safety. To demonstrate the country's food security status, household food security condition and factors affecting the food security were determined using the case of Adana province.This study indicated that there was no worrisome condition for providing the food security in terms of the availability of food except animal food products. However, it has been concluded that population growth, global climate change, structural problems of the agricultural sector and destruction of natural resources pose a risk for providing the sustainable food supply. Main problem of food security in Turkey experienced was in food accessibility. Income inequality, unemployment, rising food prices and especially poverty negatively affected the access to food. The results of the survey conducted at the household level indicated that low-income was the most influential factor in food security supporting this notion.In conclusion, hunger is not a serious problem in Turkey. However, ensuring food security is at risk, malnutrition is observed. In Turkey, achieving food security depends on the solution of economic problems, such as poverty and low income.