ABSTRACT
Achieving food security and reducing
malnutrition is still a major problem for farmers in most part of Nigeria
despite the fact that they arc the main producers of food. This study was
therefore designed to assess the food and nutrition security status of farmers
in Ohaiia local government area ofAbia state. Nigeria. The study utilized a
multi-stage random sampling technique to select a sample of 400 farmers for
interview. Using a validated questionnaire, data were collected and were
analyzed using frequency, percentages, Pearson chi-square test and food
security index. P<0.05 was accepted to be statistically significant. The
data collected on the socioeconomic status ofthe respondents showed that 34.0%
completed secondary education, 33.3% completed tertiary education while few
(12.5%) had no formal education. It also revealed that 25.0% ofthe farmers
earned a monthly income from N 18,000 and below while 16.8% earned a monthly
income of N50.000 and above. The prevalence ofunderweight, overweight and
obesity observed in this study was 5.8%. 34.0% and 13.4% respectively. Judging
with the anthropometric status and the sanitary environment ofthe respondents,
the study revealed that their nutrition security status is poor. Using the food
security index approach, the study revealed that 56% of the respondents were
food insecure, 43.5% were moderately food secure while 0.5% were food secure.
The study also revealed that 69.8% of the respondents had farmland as their
major asset, 55.8% of the farmers had experienced massive floods/storm surge
while 85.3% ofthem do not have access to modern farm implement/technology which
determined their food production rate. The data collected on the coping
strategics employed by farmers in this study revealed that 74% reduced number
of meals eaten in a day while 15.8% and 12.5% went to beg and stayed for an
entire day without eating respectively. The effect offood security on body mass
index was negative because the more food insecure they were, the less the BMI.
The effect of socio-economic status on food security was positive because an
increase in the monthly income of the respondents led to an increase in food
security status ofthe respondents. The study therefore recommends that the
nutrition security status ofthe farmers should be improved. The various
government administrators should mobilize nutritionists, agricultural extension
officers to educate the farmers on the need to eat adequate meals, to seek for
health care and also live in a sanitary environment in order to improve their
health status and also for a good nutritional outcome. It also recommends the
fast tracking ol already established policy measures aimed at reducing food
insecurity in the country.
MIRACLE, O (2024). Assessment Of Food And Nutrition Security Status Of Farmers In Ohafia Local Government Area Of Abia State, Nigeria:- Osim, Miracle O.. Mouau.afribary.org: Retrieved Sep 08, 2024, from https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/assessment-of-food-and-nutrition-security-status-of-farmers-in-ohafia-local-government-area-of-abia-state-nigeria-osim-miracle-o-7-2
OKORO, MIRACLE. "Assessment Of Food And Nutrition Security Status Of Farmers In Ohafia Local Government Area Of Abia State, Nigeria:- Osim, Miracle O." Mouau.afribary.org. Mouau.afribary.org, 15 Apr. 2024, https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/assessment-of-food-and-nutrition-security-status-of-farmers-in-ohafia-local-government-area-of-abia-state-nigeria-osim-miracle-o-7-2. Accessed 08 Sep. 2024.
OKORO, MIRACLE. "Assessment Of Food And Nutrition Security Status Of Farmers In Ohafia Local Government Area Of Abia State, Nigeria:- Osim, Miracle O.". Mouau.afribary.org, Mouau.afribary.org, 15 Apr. 2024. Web. 08 Sep. 2024. < https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/assessment-of-food-and-nutrition-security-status-of-farmers-in-ohafia-local-government-area-of-abia-state-nigeria-osim-miracle-o-7-2 >.
OKORO, MIRACLE. "Assessment Of Food And Nutrition Security Status Of Farmers In Ohafia Local Government Area Of Abia State, Nigeria:- Osim, Miracle O." Mouau.afribary.org (2024). Accessed 08 Sep. 2024. https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/assessment-of-food-and-nutrition-security-status-of-farmers-in-ohafia-local-government-area-of-abia-state-nigeria-osim-miracle-o-7-2