In Nepal, the national and district level cereal production does not reveal adequately food
security problem of the people. Although the Dang district, mid western part of Nepal is food sufficient,
food security is still a major problem for backward ethnic and caste groups. This study has as its
objectives to assess major factors influencing household food security of Tharu ethnic people. A total
of seventy two households were randomly selected comprising of twelve villages of Tharu
communities. Cereal production, consumption, use and some variables related to food security were
among the data collected. Underemployed labor force, dependency on outsiders land, low income
and poor access to the education and employment were found to be their main characteristics of
Tharu ethnic people. Tharus’ existing production systems were not sufficient for sustaining their
livelihoods. The study showed that 32% of the Tharu households were food secure, 35% marginally
secure while 33% food insecure. Using ordinary least square regression analysis, the factors
influencing food security were found to be access to agricultural extension, adoption of modern rice
varieties, higher income sources and reduction of the traditional alcohol making. Understanding
potentials and drawbacks of Tharu ethnic cultural system is a prerequisite for improving livelihood and
food security.