ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECTS OF INSURGENCY ON FOOD SECURITY AMONG FOOD CROP FARMERS IN BIU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF BORNO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The research assessed the effects of insurgency on food security status among food crop farmers in Biu Local Government Area, Borno State, Nigeria. The main objectives of the study were to assessed the effect for insurgency on food security in the study area, while the specific objective was to determine the socio-economic status of the respondents, effects of insurgency in Biu LGA of Borno State, examine the socio-economic factors affecting food security in Biu. Majority (51%) of the respondents were at their youthful age (31 – 40). Majority of (80%) of the farmers were married. The respondents were fairly educated as (43%) had tertiary education. The size of the farm was okay as majority had 5 – 8 hectares. The sources of Agricultural information were encouraging because 82% had access to information. Access to credit was also encouraging as 56% had access. As for the effect of insurgency on food crop production, majority (90%) of the farmers had low food crop production due to insurgency, 90% has reduced income due to insecurity, 89% have been affected by reduced income and increased hunger due to the effect of insurgency. Multiple regression was used to achieved the socio-economic factors affecting the age, household size, level of education, income, farming experience, access to extension, access to credit were positive and significant at P≤0.01, respectively. Marital status, farm size, were positive and significant at P≤0.05.