Analysis of Food Insecurity among Rural Farming Households: Evidence from Ikere Local Government Area of Ekiti State, Nigeria

Abstract

Food insecurity is a major global challenge that is more prevalent in developing nations like Nigeria with varying degrees of impact on households and demanding immediate attention from policymakers. This study assessed the level of insecurity among farming households in Ikere Local Government Area of Ekiti State, Nigeria using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) approach. The data for the study was collected from 140 farming households selected using a two-stage sampling technique. Descriptive statistics were employed to characterize the socioeconomic attributes of the farming households and the coping strategies adopted during periods of food shortages, and the binary probit model to examine the determining factors of the food security status of the households. The HFIAS analysis result revealed that 83.7% of the households were food insecure at varying levels. The binary probit results revealed that household size, annual household income, cooperative membership, and access to extension services are the key determinants of household food security status in the study area. Given the study findings, we recommended the need for increasing the awareness of rural farming households on the use of family planning for enhancing household food-nutrition security. Farming households are also encouraged to diversify their livelihood to improve their income and participate in cooperatives and farming groups so that they can have access to resources that can aid to improve their productivity. Additionally, extension services should be made accessible to rural farming households as this will help to improve their productivity and hence, household food security.

Factors Affecting Household Food Security in Rural Districts of Rwanda

“…Otekunrin et al (2021) found that among Nigerian agricultural families, food insecurity is more common when non-farm income is high. Ajao et al (2023) also found that food insecurity is best measured by how easy it is to get enough food, therefore our results are in line with theirs (Mundowa & Mumbengegwi, 2020).…”

“…Furthermore, the research found that families led by women are more likely to experience food insecurity due to factors such as marital status and educational level. Nkomoki et al (2019) found that households with more cattle had a lower likelihood of food insecurity, and our results are in line with that (Ajao et al, 2023). Otekunrin et al (2021) found that among Nigerian agricultural families, food insecurity is more common when non-farm income is high.…”

Conceptual triple E model for sustainable food security: A solution-based framework for hunger and malnutrition in Nigeria

“…Analysis of data to ascertain the level of food insecurity among 451 households in rural northern Nigeria showed that more than 50% of the households are food insecure (Oyedira and Olajid, 2023). Evidence of food insecurity among farming households in Ikere Local Government Area of Ekiti State, Nigeria, using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) approach, showed that 83.7% of the households were food insecure at varying levels (Ajao et al 2023). The prevalence of food insecurity among 3519 pregnant women aged 15-49 years studied by Ujah et al (2023) found that nearly 75% 58 reporting moderate to severe food insecurity.…”