ANALYSIS OF FACTORS INFLUNCING FOOD SECURITY STATUS OF CROPLIVESTOCK FARMERS IN KADUNA STATE

Abstract

The study analyzed the factors influencing food security status of crop-livestock farmers in Kaduna State, Nigeria. Data were collected from 351 crop-livestock farmers using a well structured questionnaire. Probit regression and food security index were used in the data analyses. Result of their food security status shows that 21% of the respondents were food secured with an average daily calorie intake of 4325.13kcal, which is above the ecommended calorie intake of 2260kcal, while 79% were food insecure with a daily calorie intake of 1287kcal, which is below the recommended daily calorie intake of 2260kcal. Furthermore, socio-economic and institutional factors; age and number of extension visit significantly influenced the food security status of crop-livestock farming household positively, while marital status, years of schooling, family size, crop-livestock experience, and amount of credit significantly influenced the food security status of crop-livestock farming household negatively. It was recommended that food insecure households should be assisted by both Government and Non-Government Organizations to increase production of staple crops and livestock to enhance their food security status through improved access to better food production technologies and provision of incentives that would motivate farmers to produce more, like adequate farming inputs, accessible roads, electricity, good market and stabilize price.