Effect of Smallholders Socio-Economic Characteristics on Farming Households’ Food Security in Northern Nigeria

Food security is indispensable prerequisite for the continued existence of mankind and his economic activities including adequate food production.  The study examined the effect of smallholder socio-economic characteristics on farming households’ food security in Northern Nigeria. Data for this study were obtained from 120 randomly selected farming households, using a structured questionnaire. The results revealed that 81.7% of the households considered themselves food insecure.  Furthermore, the majority of households have low incomes and low educational attainment which usually affects food security. There was also a significant negative association between food security and education as well as government policies. The analysis shows that low levels of education and government policies affected rural households. The paper therefore recommended that government and other development agencies should enhance food security among smallholders’ farmers and rural communities through farmer education, promoting labour-saving technologies and facilitating access to market information.  In the same vein, the paper infers that Nigeria needs to come up with results oriented food policy which for now it lacks.  The public policy makers must as a matter of urgency see food as an essential component of welfares and as such develop sufficient political will to achieve food increase in food production and eventually attain food security for all. Keywords: household food security; household food insecure; smallholder farmers; Nigeria DOI: 10.7176/JESD/11-4-16 Publication date: February 29 th 2020