ANALYSIS OF FOOD SECURITY AND POVERTY STATUS AMONG FARMERS IN KATAGUM LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF BAUCHI STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study focused on food security and poverty status of farmers in Katagum LGA. A multi-stage random sampling technique was employed to select 120 household heads across different communities in Katagum LGA. Primary data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Analytical tools employed included descriptive statistics, food security index, FGT Fostor- Greer – Thobecke. The result revealed that: Socio-Economic Characteristics: A majority (70.8%) of the respondents were male, and 37.5% were between the ages of 31–40, indicating a relatively youthful farming population, About 75% of the respondents had formal education, which is essential for technology adoption and improved farming practices, Most farms were small-scale, with 50% of farmers cultivating 1–3 hectares, 41.7% of respondents had more than 10 years of farming experience, but only 29.2% had access to credit, which limits their productivity. Food Security Status: 58.3% of the sampled households were food insecure, while only 41.7% were food secure, the poverty status indicates that 60% of household fall below the food security line, shows that the average food short fall is 28% of the minimum food requirements. Based on these findings, the study concludes that food insecurity and poverty remain widespread among rural farming households, despite their reliance on agriculture. It recommends that government and development agencies should strengthen access to affordable credit, provide input subsidies, expand extension services, improve storage and processing facilities, and invest in rural infrastructure. Such interventions will enhance household food security, reduce poverty levels, and promote sustainable agricultural development in the study area.