Investigating food insecurity, health and environment-related factors, and agricultural commercialization in Southwestern Nigeria: evidence from smallholder farming households

Abstract

Hunger and food insecurity remained some of the serious challenges facing our world in present time with great concerns from Sub-Saharan Africa especially countries like Nigeria. This study investigates food insecurity (FI), health and environment-related factors, and agricultural commercialization among smallholder farm households. This study was conducted in Southwestern Nigeria utilizing cross-sectional survey data from 352 farm households and employed multi-stage sampling procedure. The household FI levels was determined using food insecurity access scale (HFIAS), crop commercialization index (CCI) was used to compute each household’s CCI (four levels), while ordered logit model was used to analyse factors influencing FI. Health and environment-related factors’ access were assessed across each FI category. The results indicated that about 13% of cassava farm households are non-participant in the marketing of their produce. The findings revealed that less than 20%, 30%. and 40% of households in all four FI categories had access to piped water, improved toilet facilities, and electricity respectively. The ordered logit regression analysis indicated that age, gender, education level, farm experience, nonfarm income, and ownership of motorcycle significantly influencing FI in the study areas. Therefore, this study stressed the implementation of policy actions capable of promoting rural infrastructure development that will lead to increased agricultural production, marketing, and improved quality of life of rural dwellers.

Exploring dietary diversity, nutritional status of adolescents among farm households in Nigeria: do higher commercialization levels translate to better nutrition?

“…Using this method, cassava farm households were categorized on their commercialization levels. Farm households that did not participate in the sale of cassava roots were grouped as (i) zero level households (CCI 1 = 0%) while participants were classified into; (ii) low level (CCI 2 =1-49%) (iii) medium-high level (CCI 3 = 50-75%) and (iv) very-high level (CCI 4 = >75%) of commercialization (Otekunrin, 2022;Otekunrin et al, 2022).…”

“…The health and wellbeing of the children and Agricultural commercialization occurs when agricultural operations depend largely on the market for the sale of produce and for the purchase of production inputs, and labour (APRA, 2018). More so, Agricultural commercialization refers to increased market transactions in a position of enjoying gains from specialization (Carletto et al, 2017;Opondo et al, 2017;Otekunrin, 2022;Otekunrin et al, 2022). The estimaion of the extent of commercialization of smallholder agriculture from the output side of production gives us the opportunity to take advantage of marketing behaviour from (small-scale to full commercialization) of individual households (Carletto et al 2017;Opondo et al 2017;Otekunrin et al, 2022).…”

Multisectoral intervention on food security in complex emergencies: a discourse on regional resilience praxis in Northeast Nigeria

“…It refutes the emphasis on a military-led military counterterrorism approach and disaster risk management that empowers the privileged public officials (D'Amato, 2018;Sambo et al, 2017;Walther & Leuprecht, 2015) in addressing complex emergencies. Going forward, multi-stakeholders solutions to diversify agriculture and livelihoods support to enhance rural population's resilience and sustainable livelihoods (Ojo & Adebayo, 2012;Otekunrin, 2022;Taiwo & Omifolaji, 2015) is validated in the study's findings. Such submission is reinforced by the demand for social justice, political inclusion and economic reforms as key drivers of development and rebuilding processes in Northeast Nigeria (Okoli & Iortyer, 2014;Omenma et al, 2020;Oyewole, 2013).…”

“…Notwithstanding the progress in genetically diverse seeds, cultivated plants, and domesticated breeders (livestock), there is a lack of unified coordination and adequate monitoring by the various sectors and actors involved. This common aspect with past initiatives on agricultural development and investment in Nigeria's rural areas (Otekunrin, 2022;Taiwo & Omifolaji, 2015), further undermines the goals of addressing malnutrition, unsustainable livelihoods, and vulnerability in the country. SDG-2 targets may not be attained in the region as extreme hunger looms, particularly among poor and vulnerable IDPs, destitute and infants.…”

“…Thus, expanding irrigation facilities is critical to food security and mitigating the challenges of climate change (Jamala et al, 2011;Oriola, 2008Oriola, , 2012. Given the rising threats of climate change to socio-economic development in the Global South, multi-level approaches to food security reflect on the diversification of agricultural inputs as a critical leap toward improving the population's capabilities and sustainable livelihood, particularly in rural societies (Ojo & Adebayo, 2012;Otekunrin, 2022;Taiwo & Omifolaji, 2015).…”