ABSTRACT

Over the years, yam production has been decreasing in South Eastern Nigeria. This has been ascribed to several dimensions of poverty. As a result the gap between demand and supply for yam has increased. In recent times, the global focus has been on poverty reduction and food security. This study is in response to increasing poverty and food insecurity in Nigeria and in the world. In consonance of the above issues, this study examined the poverty levels and food demand in rural yam farm households in South Eastern Nigeria. Specifically, the study identified and described socio-economic . characteristics of yam farm households, estimated poverty line, poverty depth, severity and intensity, examined income inequality, analysed food demand among poor and extremely poor rural yam farm households and evaluated the determinants of rural poverty among yam farm households in South Eastern Nigeria. Cross sectional data collected from random samples of 300 yam farm household heads were used for the analysis. Data analysis comprised the use of statistical tools such as percentages, frequencies, means, standard deviation, tables and regression analysis. Results of the socioeconomic analysis showed that the average age of the extremely poor farm household heads was 59 years while that of the combined poor yam farm household heads was 56 years. The average household size of the extremely poor yam farm household heads was 7 persons while that of the combined poor yam farmers was 6 persons. Results of poverty line analysis showed that the combined poor and extremely poor yam household heads were living on less than N678.59 and N339.30 per day respectively and that 53 percent of yam farm household heads were poor while 14 percent of the poor yam household .heads were established as extremely poor. The poverty depth of the extremely poor yam farmers was 42 percent while that of the combined poor yam farmers was 22 percent. Sen index for the combined poor yam ' farmers was 29 percent while that ofthe extremely poor yam farmers was 37 percent. The Foster, Greer and Thorbecke (FGT) index for the combined poor and extremely poor yam farmers was 11 and 77 percent respectively. Gini index of 0.48 of moderate income inequality was obtained. Food demand was significantly determined mostly by price and income than by socio-demographic variables for both the combined poor and extremely poor yam farm households. The expenditure elasticities of food sub-groups such as yam and related products, bread, cereals, beans, meat, fish, milk and egg for the combined poor and extremely poor yam farm households were greater than unity. The own-price elasticities of food sub-groups such as yam and related products, bread, cereals, beans, meat, fish, milk and egg for both the combined poor and extremely poor yam farm households also were greater than unity. The determinants of poverty were level of education, membership of farmer ’ s group, yam production experience and participation in agricultural workshop. These factors significantly decreased poverty which is in base with apriori expectations while that of household dependency ratio increased poverty. It . has been recognized that for meaningful progress to be made against the challenges of poverty among rural farm households especially yam farm households, there must be improvement in policy for agricultural development so as to increase yam production. Large household sizes need to be curtail to a manageable size. Also, there is the need for the establishment of national marketing board in the rural sector so as to increase yam production and increase in income. The Federal Government in conjunction with the State Government should establish soft loan departments in Agricultural Development Programmes (ADPs) of the 36 States of Nigeria to enhance yam production as well as income.