Food Insecurity Levels Among Yam-Based Rural Farming Households in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria

A country achieves food security when food supply equals or exceeds food demand. Nigeria is yet to meet this standard. The study assessed food insecurity levels among yam-based farming households in Orhionmwon LGA and specifically focused on households socio-economic variables which include sex, age, marital status, level of education, farm size, household size and households income and expenditure profile among others. Data were analyzed by appropriate statistical analysis which included frequency counts, percentages, mean and Foster, Greer and Thorbecke (F.G.T.) modified poverty index techniques. The results showed that (80.8%) of household heads representing majority of the respondents were males, (92.5%) of household heads, which constitute another majority of respondents were married, the mean age of household heads was 50 years, 53% owned houses and 58% had farming experience of between 11 – 12 years. The mean household size was estimated as seven people with a mean farm size of 1.35 hectares. The mean annual household income in the study area was estimated as N496, 850.00 out of which farm income contributed 62.43% and off-farm income contributed 37% the mean monthly household expenditure was N40, 934.31 out of which food expenditures accounted for 40.22%. The degree of food insecurity levels among households shows incidence, depth and severity increasing with age whilst along the line of marital status; the incidence of food insecurity was worse-off with the married than the unmarried. It was also worse with males than females. It was recommended that government should empower farmers with inputs that will enable them expand their farm sizes to enhance a positive effect on food security. Government should provide enlightenment campaign on nutritional value and intake of food to enable farmers fit enough for tasks on the farm to address food security.