DETERMINNATS OF FOOD SECURITY AMONG RICE FARMING HOUSEHOLDS IN WUKARI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OFTARABA STATE, NIGERIA

This study examined the determinants of food security among rice farming households in Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State, Nigeria. Specifically, it described the socioeconomic characteristics of the respondents, assessed their food security status, analyzed the determinant of food security, and identified coping strategies adopted during food shortages. Primary data were collected using structured questionnaires administered to 162 household heads selected through a multistage sampling technique.Analytical tools employed included descriptive statistics, food security index based on a recommended daily caloric intake of 2260 Kcal, and binary logistic regression. Results indicated that 74.1% of the respondents were male with average age of 35.5 years, with71.6%attaining at least secondary education. Majority (76.5%) of the households were food secure, with an average daily calorie intake of 5772.88 Kcal, while food-insecure households consumed 1697.74 Kcal daily. The binary logistic regression model revealed that farming experience, education level, extension contact, and farm size were positive and significantly influenced food security, whereas age and household size had negative effects. Coping strategies employed during food scarcity included purchasing food from markets, borrowing from social networks, foraging wild food,skipping meals, and consuming less preferred foods. The study concluded that enhancing farmers’ access to agricultural extension services, improving educational opportunities,and increasing farm size through land policy reforms could strengthen food security among rice farming households in the area. Policy recommendation were made that Education should be promoted to enhance adult literacy and agricultural training to help farmers adopt innovations, hence, improve productivity because education increases the likelihood of household food security.