Perceived Effects of Food Price Inflation on Rural Households’ Food Security Situation in Enugu State, Nigeria

Abstract

Objectives: This study examined the perceived effects of food price inflation on the food security status of rural farming households’ in Enugu state, Nigeria. Methods: The 18-item USDA household food security survey module was used in determining the food security status of the respondents. Mean scores were used to analyze the perceived causes and effects of food price inflation, respectively. Results: Majority of the households were food insecure, and the cost of production of major crops and prices of major stable foods had been on the increase for the 3 years (2016, 2015, and 2014) reviewed. The major cause of food price inflation was climate change while its major effects on household food insecurity were reduction in caloric intake, among others. Eating foods that are less preferred were the most frequently used coping strategy in cushioning the effects of food insecurity. Conclusion: The findings reveal how food price inflation affects rural farming households’ food security situation and thus assist the government and policy-makers to design and implement appropriate policy interventions.

Co-Impact of Security Challenges, Energy Price Shocks, and Environmental Pollution on Nutrition and Food Security in Nigeria

“…Effects of food price inflation on household food security among rural farmers in Enugu state, Nigeria has been investigated (Anugwa and Ugwu, 2022). The study revealed that significant number of the households were food insecure, thus calls for appropriate policy interventions (Anugwa and Ugwu, 2022).…”

“…Effects of food price inflation on household food security among rural farmers in Enugu state, Nigeria has been investigated (Anugwa and Ugwu, 2022). The study revealed that significant number of the households were food insecure, thus calls for appropriate policy interventions (Anugwa and Ugwu, 2022). Other studies also revealed that food price inflation limits households food purchase (Egwuma et al, 2017), food quality, preference for different healthy foods, compromised good feeding habit (Ikuemonisan and Akinbola, 2019), and caused food insecurity.…”