AN ANALYSIS OF FOOD SECURITY AMONG RICE FARMING HOUSEHOLDS IN GOMBE STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study analysed the food security status of rice farming households in Gombe state, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to describe socio-economic characteristics of the rice farming households and determine the food security status of the rice farmers. Multistage sampling was employed in selecting 355 rice farmers. Data were collected through the administration of structured questionnaires and analysed using descriptive statistics and Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS). Results showed that the mean age, farm size, household size and farming experience of the respondents were 43.44years, 2.14 hectares, 9 persons and 17.62 years, respectively.  The results also revealed that rice farming was dominated by literate men in their youthful ages whose participation is cooperative membership is low and exhibit poor access to credit facilities. The respondents were basically rice farmers. The average hectarage of the rice farming households was 2.1hectares, with about 53% relying on rainfed rice production. The proportion of rice farming households that were food insecure was alarming high as the HFIAP analysis indicated that only 11.55% were food secure, 37.46% were in mild food insecurity, 20% were moderately food insecure, and 30.99% were faced with severe food insecurity. Rice farmers in the study area experienced food insecurity that was capable of affecting their productivity. The study recommended that the respondents key into relevant government programmes that are aimed at boosting rice production.