Abstract
This study examined the Influence of Socioeconomic Variables on Food Security Status of
Farming Households in Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was
used to randomly select 112 farming households for the study. Data were collected on
socioeconomic characteristics, food consumption pattern and causes of food insecurity using
a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, food security index
(FSI) and binary logistic regression model. The summary statistics of food security indices
revealed that majority (56.2%) of the selected households were food insecure, and out of the
households that experienced food shortage incidence, majority (51.6%) indicated that food
shortage was mostly experienced in the third quarter of the year (July- September). The
regression analysis on the influence of socioeconomic characteristics on food security status
among farming households indicated that household size (P<0.01), education level (P<0.05)
and household income (P<0.05) were statistically significant with 0.623, 2.471 and 1.044
exponential values respectively. High food prices; conflict and civil unrest; and high cost of
transportation were ranked the topmost causes of food insecurity in the study area. The study
concluded that majority of the selected households were food insecure with the incidence of
food insecurity more concentrated in the third quarter of the year (July – September). And that
food security status was significantly influenced by the socioeconomic characteristics of the
household heads with high food prices; conflict and civil unrest; and high cost of transportation
as the topmost causes of food insecurity in the study area. It was recommended that facilitating
access to adequate and affordable food; affordable means of transportation; and taking into
consideration by policy makers, the significant socioeconomic factors influencing food security
will improve the food security status of farming households in the study area.
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