COPING STRATEGIES OF FOOD SECURITY: A PERSPECTIVE OF FEMALE-HEADED HOUSEHOLDS IN ESAN WEST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

This study assesses the socio-economic factors influencing the coping strategies employed by female-headed households to manage food insecurity in Esan West Local Government Area, Edo State, Nigeria. The area, predominantly agricultural, has a population of over 190,000, with farming as the primary livelihood activity. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed to select 50 respondents from 10 villages. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including correlation analysis. The study found that most respondents are aged between 41 and 50 years, with farming and trading as the dominant occupations. A large number of households belong to the middle-income bracket, although many still struggle with financial difficulties. Coping strategies identified include reducing food waste, casual labor, consuming less preferred foods, and engaging in home gardening. The study revealed that monthly income had a significant negative correlation with the coping strategies, suggesting that higher income reduces reliance on external resources like loans. Major constraints faced by respondents include low income, lack of employment, and food insufficiency. Based on these findings, the study recommends microfinance initiatives, vocational training, gender equality policies, and improved market access to enhance food security and empower women in the agricultural sector. Keywords: Food Security, Coping Strategies, Female