ANALYSIS OF FOOD INSECURITY AMONG RURAL HOUSEHOLDS IN MOPAMURO AREA OF KOGI STATE, NIGERIA

Achieving food security is important in reducing hunger. Identifying the food insecure, its effects, and strategy adopted in reducing food insecurity is essential. This study analyzed food insecurity among rural households in Mopamuro local government areas of Kogi State, Nigeria and specifically   describe the socio-economic characteristics of rural household heads, determine the food insecurity status of the respondents, identify the effect of food insecurity of rural households and identify the coping strategies of the rural household towards food insecurity in the study area. A two-stage sampling technique was used to collect qualitative and quantitative data from 112 household heads using a questionnaire. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a food security index (FSI). The findings revealed that 76 % of the household head were male and 93 % were married with a mean household size of 8 persons. The mean per capita food expenditure per month was estimated to be ₦22,388.00 and the 2/3 mean per capita food expenditure for the entire household was ₦14,925.00; sixty-four percent of the households were food insecure. Buying food on credit, no food at home amongst others were the effects of food insecurity among households. Strategies adopted to cope with food insecurity include a reduction in quality of food eaten, buying food on credit, and reduction of adult food intake. It is recommended that government and non- governmental organizations should empower the households to increase production and venture into other income-generating activities to meet up with household food consumption needs.