FOOD SECURITY STATUS OF YAM FARMERS IN EKITI-STATE, NIGERIA

The study analysed the food security status of yam farming households in Ekiti State, Nigeria. Data were collected using a well structured questionnaire assisted with interview scheduled from three hundred and twenty yam households selected from the three ADP zones of the State using multistage sampling technique. Data were analysed using food security index and probit model. Results of food security index revealed that 60.31% of the respondents were food secure while 39.68% were food insecure. The result of the probit model showed that age, household size, membership of cooperative society, education, access to credit and farm size and non-farm income were the significant determinants of food security in the study area. The study thus recommended that policies should be encouraged to support the establishment of cooperatives in rural area based on the vital role it plays in improving food and nutrition security for rural farming households, areas of employment generation and mutual self-help.