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Effect of crop diversification on food security status among arable crop farmers in Ikwuano Local Government Area, Abia State, Nigeria
Abstract
The study was carried out to analyze the effect of crop diversification on food security status among arable crop farmers in Ikwuano L.G.A of Abia State. A two-stage sampling technique was used to select 80 arable crop farmers. The data collected were analyzed with the use of descriptive and inferential statistics. The results showed that the farmers were about 44years, 57.5% males and 77.5% married with about 11years spent in school. The average household size was 5persons, and farming experience of about 9.41 years. Majority (60%) were members of cooperative societies, while 65% and 85% had no extension contact and access to credit respectively. Also, average farm size was 1.53ha with crop diversification index of 0.71. Education, off-farm income, farm size, land ownership and crop yield significantly influenced crop diversification, while crop yield, education, household size, crop diversification and off-farm income significantly influenced the food security status of the farmers in the study area. The study therefore, recommends that extension agents should create more awareness on the importance of crop diversification on the food security of the farmers in the study area. Provision of affordable or free education will enable farmers’ access and process information on innovations that will enhance crop diversification for improved income and food security status. There is also need for land reform policies to enable farmers’ access more land for increased crop diversification in the study area.
