Evaluation of the food security status of sorghum farmers in Sabon Gari Local Government Area, Kaduna State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study was carried out in Sabon Gari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Nigeria, to evaluate the food security status of sorghum farmers. Purposive and random sampling techniques were used to select four villages and the 143 sorghum farmers who were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Primary data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, food security index and logit regression analysis. Socio-economic characteristics of the sorghum farmers revealed that the mean age was 44 years, 56.6% of them falling within the dominant age range of 40-49 years; educational level and farm sizes were generally low. The food insecurity line of N71,240.21 was determined for the sample yielding a food insecurity index of 70.6%. The regression analysis showed a positive relationship between food security status and educational level (r=0.474), household income (r=2.196), extension contact (r=0.182) and amount of credit (r=0.650). Major constraints including pests and diseases, inadequate capital and limited access to credit were identified and recommendations aimed at checking constraints and enhancing overall food security among sorghum farmers were proffered.