SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL ANALYSIS OF FOOD SECURITY AMONG SELECTED ETHNIC GROUPS IN NORTH CENTRAL NIGERIA

Thesis Abstract

The broad objective of the study was to investigate the socio-economic andcultural dimensions of food security among selected ethnic groups in North CentralNigeria. Specifically, the study was designed to determine food culture and practices ofthe respondents; determine the household food security status (energy availability) acrossethnic groups; determine dietary diversity of the households across cultures; identifyperceived constraints militating against household food security; and describe the copingstrategies utilized by the households during food shortages. Seven hypotheses and aconceptual framework were developed for the study. The population of the study consistsof all ethnic groups in North Central Nigeria. The zone comprises about 60 ethnic groups.Specifically, the study was carried out among Tiv, Igala and Eggon ethnic groups ofBenue, Kogi and Nasarawa States. A multi-stage sampling technique was adopted for thestudy. Three ethnic groups (Tiv, Igala and Eggon) and one village per ethnic group werepurposively selected based on differences in language and culture. The total sample sizefor this study was 340 respondents, made up of 120 Tiv households, 108 Igala householdsand 112 Eggon households. Data for the study were collected through the use of interviewschedule.The data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean score, food securityindex, factor analysis; the comparative (reduced) coping strategy index (CSI), logitregression, Kruskal-Wallis (H) statistic and correlation. The study revealed that majority(91.2%) of the respondents were males. The mean age of the respondents was 43.36 yearswhile their mean household size was 5 members. The mean farm size of the respondentswas 3.3 hectares while their average fertilizer use was 4.73kg/ha per annum. Majority(53.2%) had no formal education; majority (89.4%) had no access to credit and about53.2% did not participate in non-farm activities. The average output from own productionwas 6211.79kg and majority (60%) of the respondents possessed goats. The mean farmincome; mean non-farm income and average annual household income for therespondents were 69,539.00 naira; 22,486.00 naira and 91,752.00 naira, respectively.Majority (93.2%) of husbands took decisions on household agricultural activities; allrespondents practiced subsistence farming; and 94.7% practiced mixed cropping.Majority (88.6%) of the respondents preferred major crops; about 92.5% acquiredfarmland through inheritance; and the family (67. %) constituted the main source oflabour. Majority of the respondents used traditional processing (97.4%) and storage(96.2%) methods. Majority (95.4%) of husbands controlled household income