SOCIO-ECONOMIC DETERMINANTS AND THEIR EFFECTS ON THE FOOD SECURITY STATUS OF SMALLHOLDER MILLET FARMERS IN JIGAWA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study examined the socio-economic determinants of food security among smallholder millet farmers in Jigawa State, Nigeria. The objectives were to profile the farmers’ socio-economic characteristics, assess their household food security status, and examine how selected socio-economic variables affect food security outcomes. Data were collected from 262 respondents through a multistage sampling technique using structured questionnaires. Descriptive statistics, the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS), and binary logistic regression were employed for analysis. Results revealed that all respondents were male, with an average age of 41 years and mean household size of 8 persons. About 59.9% had attained some level of formal education, though most cultivated small farm plots averaging 1.65 hectares. Findings further showed that 53.8% of households were food insecure, while 46.2% were food secure. Regression analysis indicated that total household income exerted a positive and highly significant influence on food security (p < 0.01). In contrast, dependence solely on millet income, longer years of millet farming experience, and limited access to extension services had negative and significant effects (p < 0.05). Farm size exhibited a weak positive influence, whereas education, household size, age, and credit access were not significant. The study concludes that income diversification and institutional support, especially agricultural extension, are crucial in enhancing food security among millet farming households. It recommends targeted policies to improve rural incomes, strengthen extension delivery, and promote innovative practices and technologies that can boost millet productivity and ensure sustainable household food security.