INFLUENCE OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC VARIABLES ON FOOD SECURITY STATUS OF FARMING HOUSEHOLDS IN WUKARI, TARABA STATE, NIGERIA

This study examined the Influence of Socioeconomic Variables on Food Security Status of Farming Households in Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to randomly select 112 farming households for the study. Data were collected on socioeconomic characteristics, food consumption pattern and causes of food insecurity using a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, food security index (FSI) and binary logistic regression model. The summary statistics of food security indices revealed that majority (56.2%) of the selected households were food insecure, and out of the households that experienced food shortage incidence, majority (51.6%) indicated that food shortage was mostly experienced in the third quarter of the year (July- September). The regression analysis on the influence of socioeconomic characteristics on food security status among farming households indicated that household size (P<0.01), education level (P<0.05) and household income (P<0.05) were statistically significant with 0.623, 2.471 and 1.044 exponential values respectively. High food prices; conflict and civil unrest; and high cost of transportation were ranked the topmost causes of food insecurity in the study area. The study concluded that majority of the selected households were food insecure with the incidence of food insecurity more concentrated in the third quarter of the year (July – September). And that food security status was significantly influenced by the socioeconomic characteristics of the household heads with high food prices; conflict and civil unrest; and high cost of transportation as the topmost causes of food insecurity in the study area. It was recommended that facilitating access to adequate and affordable food; affordable means of transportation; and taking into consideration by policy makers, the significant socioeconomic factors influencing food security will improve the food security status of farming households in the study area.