ABSTRACT

The influx of population from rural areas to urban centres has resulted in shifts in dietary patterns, increased reliance on commercial food markets, and changes in traditional food preservation methods. These changes may have both positive and negative implications for the food security and nutritional well-being of households in the community. This study was carried out to ascertain the urbanization influences on food availability and preservation among households in communities in Ikwuano Local Government Area, Abia State with the aim of determining socioeconomic and demographic status of the respondent, assess the changes in food availability among households in Ikwuano Community as a result of urbanization, examine the traditional and modern food preservation practices employed by households in Ikwuano Community and  identify the factors influencing food preservation practices and challenges faced by households in the context of urbanization. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select three communities (Umudike, Umuariagha, and Amaoba) in Ikwuano Local Government Area, Abia State. The study was carried out using a cross-sectional survey for a convenience sample of 261 respondents. Data was collected using structured and validated interviewer administered questionnaires and was presented in frequencies and percentages, The studies revealed 62.5% were females, less than half (47.5%) were between the ages of 20 to 30 years, 81% of the respondents were married while 11.4% were single. The distribution of the religion and tribe of the respondents revealed that 90.4%, of the respondent were Christians.  The study showed that (59%) attained tertiary institution, less than half earn between 30,000 to 50,000. Based on change in food availability, (71.6%) noticed more variety of food availability, slightly more than half (50.2%) indicated less available of fresh produce at the local market, more than half (55.6%) of the respondent revealed that urban living has improve access to fresh and diverse foods. About (74.7%) considered it very important to have variety of food , more than half (69.3%) of the respondents do not have access to agricultural farm , majority (91.6%) of the respondents have food stock in the house at the moment, more than half (69.3%) indicated that urbanization increased variety of food item availability, majority (81.6%) of the respondents preserved food weekly, less than half (46.7%) of the respondents use refrigeration as a method of preservation, slightly above half (55.2%) of the respondents change to modern method, More than half (78.5%) of the respondents has never sought for help to improve food preservation, more than half (61.7%) of the respondents availability of equipment as factors influencing choice of food preservation method, Large proportion (74.3%) of the respondents indicated power outages has major challenges faced in preservation of food, Less than half (46.7%) of the respondents were of the opinion that environment significantly affects food preservation, Large proportion (75.1%) of the respondents preserve seasonal produce in large quantity to address the challenges of limited access to fresh produce. Based on the results it was recommended that establishing community gardens enhances local access to fresh produce which addresses the challenge of limited agricultural resources or engaging in community initiatives like food co-operatives, where fresh produce can be purchased in bulk and preservation techniques can be shared with others and also, implementing measures to minimize power outages or introducing solar-powered preservation tools to households ensures uninterrupted electricity supply for food preservation. This is an alternative and effective way to preserve perishable foods like meat, dairy, and fresh produce.