Effects of post-harvest losses on food security among cowpea farming households in Oyo state, Nigeria

The study examined how post-harvest losses affected food security among cowpea farming households in Oyo state, Nigeria. Multistage sampling method was used to choose the study's samples. For the research, data was gathered from the farmers, utilizing a well-organized questionnaire and interview schedule. Descriptive statistics including (frequency, percentage, and mean), 3-point Likert-type rating scale, Household food expenditure, FGT food insecurity measure, and Probit regression were used to analyze the gathered data. Results indicated that middle-aged, male persons who grew an average cowpea farm of 1.37 hectares dominated cowpea production in the study area. Moreover, among cowpea farming households in the study region, average post-harvest losses observed was 21.9%, and food insecurity prevalence was 52.5%. Furthermore, variables including access to credit, years of formal education and farm size positively and significantly influenced food security whereas post-harvest losses, planting of local cowpea varieties, and household size negatively and significantly affected food security. According to the research, resolving the main causes found—that is, planting local cowpea seed varieties, large household size, and post-harvest loss occurrences—is absolutely necessary to help to alleviate food insecurity among cowpea growers in the study area.