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Abstract
One of the principal means by which agricultural growth affects the level of
welfare of the population is the possibility of increasing the food supply, which generally
reflects in lower food prices, with important implications on people’s diet. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between the agricultural productivity of the main items of people’s diet and
food security of households in metropolitan regions. We used a qualitative choice model, the probit, and data from the
Household Budget Surveys (POF, in Portuguese) of 1995-1996, 2002-2003 and 2008-2009 and research Municipal
Agricultural Production. There were significant relationships between the level of education of the household head,
the presence of persons under 18 years-old in the family and the fact that the per capita income household earning
is less than minimum wage and food security. Moreover, the productivity growth of grains, vegetables and fruits
was associated with greater likelihood of food security in at least one of the periods analyzed. We conclude that
productivity gains are associated with greater household food security, but in low proportions, due to the high
influence of particular characteristics, such as education and income.