Determinants of Food Security Status of Yam-Based Farmers in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria

This study examined the socio-economic determinants of food security status of yam-based farmers in Orhionmwon Local Government Areas of Edo South, Senatorial District of Edo State which were purposively selected based on the intensity of yam-production in the area. One hundred and twenty (120) registered yam-based farmers from the Edo State Agricultural Development Programme (EADP) list of contact farmers were randomly selected, data were collected using structured questionnaire and interview schedule. The data were analysed using frequency count, percentages and logit Regression model. The findings showed that (80.8%) of the respondents were males whilst females accounted for (19.2%), the mean age of the respondents was 50 years, with mean farming experience of between 11 – 20 years. The results of the study indicated that three socio-economic variables included in the logit model such as farm size, farm income and off-farm income were positive and significant in explaining variation in the food security status of the households. The study further recommends that farmers should help themselves by forming/joining co-operative societies in order to secure loans for farm improvement and social infrastructures should be provided by government to help boost-off-farm income.