Socio-economic Variables and Food Security Status of Cocoa Farming Households in Ondo State, Nigeria

The study investigated the effects of socio-economic characteristics on food security status of cocoa farming households. The study was conducted in Ondo State, Nigeria. There was random selection of four notable cocoa producing Local Government Areas (LGAs) and from each of the four selected LGAs, there was random selection of two communities. However, from the eight communities, a total of two hundred respondent households were randomly selected. The data collected were analysed with descriptive statistics as well as probit model. The study shows that the mean age for cocoa farming households’ head in the overall state was 52.2 years and the mean household size in the study area was about five members per household. The proportion of the food secure households was 43% while that of the food insecure households was 57%. The inferential analysis shows that six variables were found to be significant in determining the food security status of the farming households. The variables are household size (p<0.01), age of household head (p<0.10), farming experience of household head (p<0.05), output of roots and tubers (p<0.01), output of cereals (p<0.05) and output of cocoa (p<0.01). The study concluded that there is a need to increase the productivity of cocoa farming households (especially in the area of cocoa production) in order to increase their output. It was recommended that there should be an enlightenment programme in the study area on the need for birth control.