Analysis of Food Security and Poverty Status amongst Farming Households in Abia State, Nigeria

This study analysed the food security and poverty status amongst farming households in Abia State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling procedure was employed to select 120 respondents used for the study. Data were collected through the aid of a structured questionnaire and interview schedule. The analytical technique used was descriptive statistics and logit regression model. The findings showed that 46.67% of the respondents were married while 30.83%, 11.67% and 10.83% were single, widowed and divorced respectively. 87.11% of the respondents were between the ages of 26-40 years, implying that the majority of the respondents were still at their active productive age. 62% of the farm households were poor while 30% were food secure. Age of household head,(0.092) household size(0.002), farm income(0.002), access to credit(0.004), property ownership(0.490 and annual farm income(0.164) were significant determinants of food security, while, farm size(-6.935), level of education(-2.233), off farm income(-4.040), household size(4.001), farming experience(-6.935), credit use(-2.725), sex(-2.412) and age of household head(-1.7011) were significant determinants of poverty. The study calls on government and nongovernmental organizations to recognize the existing poverty alleviation strategies being utilized by farming households, improve on farmers’ initiatives by setting up community development associations and village development committees. These developments will help the farming household in their efforts to come out of poverty cycle.