Socio-Cultural Impediments to Food Security in South-East Agro-Ecological Zone of Nigeria

Abstract

Against the background of the precarious food security situation in parts of Africa, this paper highlights aspects of Nigeria’s culture that impinge on agricultural practice and food habits and consequently, undermine efforts to achieve the agrarian and rural development policy objectives of the federal and state governments of Nigeria. The focus was on the south-east agro-ecological zone. Aspects of our culture that have utility functions, which should be promoted, as well as retrogressive prohibitions and mandatory cultural practices which should be reformed, are discussed. The paper recommends purging our culture of noxious elements,such as totems, and animism well as education and re-orientation of the people as additional strategies for giving farmers access to production resources and meeting the food security needs of the nation.