Determinants of Food Security among Low-Income Households in Maiduguri Metropolis of Borno State, Nigeria

The need to identify the food secure as target groups and achieving a better understanding of the determinants of food security cannot be overemphasized. This paper examined the determinants of food security among low-income households in Maidugiri Metropolis of Borno State Nigeria. Using purposive and muliti-stage random techniques, 120 low- income households were selected for the study. Descriptive, Cost-of-calories method, Logit model and household dietary diversity scores were used as analytical techniques for the study. Based on the recommended daily energy levels of 2260 kcal, a food security line of N24,786.00 per adult equivalent per year was obtained for the households. Only 39% of the sample households are therefore food secure. The logit analysis revealed that the major determinants that positively influence food security in the study area are farm size, co-operative membership, level of education, gender of household head, assets, credit, child dependency ratio, extension agent’s contact and diet diversity while age and household size negatively influence food security. Therefore, it is imperative that improving wage earning capacity and exploring income diversification opportunities are crucial in enhancing food security status and general welfare of households. Government should give adequate priority and attention to policy measures directed towards educating and provision of better family planning. Also, launching of enlightenment programmes on nutrition education especially on the different food groups and dietary diversification practices among the low income households could enhance food security in the study area.