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

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.