The growth determinants of micro and small enterprises and its linkages with food security: The case of Mecha district, Amhara region, Ethiopia

The study assessed the growth determinants of micro and small enterprises (MSEs) and its linkages with food security in Mecha district of Amhara region. The research was conducted to fill the empirical gaps regarding the linkages of MSEs growth with food security. Previous researches conducted in Ethiopia on the MSEs growth did not explicitly show the relationships of the growth of those enterprises on households’ food security. The objectives of the research were: to identify the determinant factors of MSEs growth, to assess the household food security status of MSEs operators, and to examine the linkages of MSEs growth with households food security status. The research was mixed research and conducted through concurrent triangulation design. The data collection methods were questionnaire, key informant interview and focus group discussions. Stratified sampling method and purposive sampling methods were implemented to select samples. The data was analyzed through a binary logistic regression and chi-square test. The findings of the study show that the factors that significantly determine the MSEs growth were government support, work premise accessibility, training, previous work experience, record keeping, possession of license and lack of market linkages. The chi-square test of independence result indicates that, there is a significant relationship between MSEs growth and the households food security status. Thus, as the MSEs grow, the households’ food security status of MSE operators’ improves.   Key words: Micro and small enterprises, Mecha district, operators, households food security, growth.