What does it mean for a household to be self-sufficient?

A household being self-sufficient means that it produces enough food and possibly other necessities to sustain itself without needing to rely on external sources. This capability allows families to meet their own dietary and basic living needs year-round. When a household is self-sufficient, it often grows its own vegetables, raises animals for food, or engages in other forms of production, ensuring that they do not depend primarily on external suppliers or markets for their sustenance.

In contrast, relying entirely on external sources indicates a lack of independence in food production, which does not align with the concept of self-sufficiency. Similarly, living in a community may involve shared resources and benefits but does not inherently mean that a household is self-sufficient. Buying all food from markets clearly reflects reliance on external food systems, which is the opposite of self-sufficiency. Therefore, the definition capturing the essence of self-sufficiency is that a household provides enough food to feed itself throughout the year.