SOCIO-ECONOMIC DETERMINANTS OF HOUSEHOLD FOOD SECURITY AMONG FISH FARMERS IN ODOGBOLU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

This study examined the socio-economic determinants of household food security among fish farmers in Odogbolu local government area of Ogun State, Nigeria. About 120 fish farmers were selected through a two-stage sampling procedure. Data were obtained with the aid of interview schedule, and analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20.0 and subjected to frequency counts, percentage, means, standard deviation, and multiple linear regression models. Results revealed that 43.4 percent of the fish farmers were within 36-50 years age bracket with a mean age of 41.43±11.59 years. Higher proportions were male (83.2%), married (64.6%), and had tertiary education (69.4%).  About half (49.6%) reported that adults in their households were food insecure. Fish farming was found to contribute to household food security through increased household income (89.4%), and dietary diversification (87.6%). Also, 51.3 and 31.0 percents indicated that children in households had high and marginal food security statuses respectively. Age (β = -0.421, t = -2.516, p<0.05) and household size (β = 0.804, t = 3.795, p<0.01) were significant determinants of food security status among adults in fish farming households while household size was the only significant determinant of food security status among the children (β= 0.465, t= 3.065, p<0.01). The study concluded that that age as well as household size has great influence on the food security status of fish farming households. It was recommended that more women and younger persons should be encouraged to venture into fish farming in order to improve the food security status of households.