ANALYSIS OF INCOME DIVERSIFICATION STRATEGIES AND FOOD SECURITY STATUS OF FARMERS IN OYO STATE OF NIGERIA

ANALYSIS OF INCOME DIVERSIFICATION STRATEGIES AND FOOD SECURITY STATUS OF FARMERS IN OYO STATE OF NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to examine the income diversification strategies and food security status of farmers in Oyo State. The specific objectives were to determine the socio-economic characteristics of the farmers, describe the pattern of diversity in income sources among the farmers, identify and describe the determinants of income diversification, determine the food security status of the farmers in the study area, identify and evaluate the determinants of food security among the farmers in the area and determine the effects of income diversification on food security status of the farmers in the study area. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 280 farmers for the study. Primary data were used and these were collected with aid of structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, diversity index, tobit regression model, food security line, logit model and simple regression analysis were employed to analyze the data. The results revealed that 33 percent of the farmers were within 41-50 years. Only 8 percent were below 30 years of age. The mean age of the farmers was 45 years. The average household size is 6 members and the average farming experience was 19 years. Only 25 percent do not have formal education. About 43 percent had farm size between 0.1-2.0 hectares and Average farm size was estimated to be 3.15 hectares. Majority of the farmers (78.21 percent) had no contact with extension agent. It was found that 52.14 percent had no access to credit. About 48.21 percent did not belong to any cooperative association. It was further found that 10 percent of the respondents had income diversity index of 1. The mean income diversity index was 2.02. The determinants of income diversification in the study area were education, household size, credit and extension contact. These variables were positively related to income diversification. Based on the recommended daily calorie intake of 2260 kilo calorie, it was found that 33.57 percent of the respondents were food secure and 66.43 percent were not food secure. The determinants of food security in the study area were education, household size, extension contact and per capita income of the respondents. Furthermore, income diversification has significant effect on food security. The estimated coefficient of income diversification (0.877) was positive and significant at 5 percent level of probability which implied that as income diversification increases, food security status of the respondents also increases. The study recommended that reduction in food insecurity should involve an integrated approach that promotes education among farm households. Also, agricultural activities should be promoted through the distribution of agricultural inputs such as improved seeds and fertilizers and better extension services delivery in order to boost agricultural production.

ANALYSIS OF INCOME DIVERSIFICATION STRATEGIES AND FOOD SECURITY STATUS OF FARMERS IN OYO STATE OF NIGERIA

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