Food insecurity and coping strategies in South-West Nigeria

Food insecurity and coping strategies in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State in the south-western part of Nigeria were studied by means of a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected from 80 households, consisting of 321 members, with the aid of a well-structured questionnaire, and were analysed using a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Food security 2013-06, Vol.5 (3), p.407-414
Main Authors: Akerele, Dare, Momoh, Siaka, Aromolaran, Adebayo B., Oguntona, Clara R. B., Shittu, Adebayo Musediku
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Agriculture
Air. Soil. Water. Waste. Feeding
Biological and medical sciences
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Environment
Environment. Living conditions
Food Science
Life Sciences
Medical sciences
Original Paper
Plant Sciences
Public health. Hygiene
Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine
Social Policy
Social Sciences
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Summary:Food insecurity and coping strategies in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State in the south-western part of Nigeria were studied by means of a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected from 80 households, consisting of 321 members, with the aid of a well-structured questionnaire, and were analysed using a Food Insecurity Index. The overall incidence of food insecurity was 58.8 % while the depth of food insecurity, expressed as the average percent increase in calories required to meet the recommended daily requirement, was 19.5 %. Thus, the study confirmed the widespread existence of household food insecurity but with mild severity. Food insecurity indices declined with higher levels of income and educational attainment but increased with household size and number of dependants. Incidence of food insecurity was slightly higher among female headed than male headed households but the depth and severity were lower. Eating less expensive and less preferred food and reducing portion sizes were the three most common coping strategies for combating short-term food shortages. Policies that would enhance income earning capacity of household members and their access to higher education, well-focused gender specific interventions and promotion of backyard farming are advocated.
ISSN:1876-4517
1876-4525
DOI:10.1007/s12571-013-0264-x