MARKET PARTICIPATION AND FOOD SECURITY STATUS OF BIO-FORTIFIED CASSAVA PROCESSORS IN SOUTH WESTERN NIGERIA

Abstract
A better understanding of the extent of food insecurity and its determinants, particularly among rural households, is a step towards proffering solutions to this menace. The study assessed market participation and food security status of biofortified cassava processors in South-Western Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was used to source for data from 160 bio-fortified cassava processor through a well-structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, household commercialization index, Food Insecurity Experience-Based Measurement Scales-United States Department of Agriculture (FIEMS-USDA) and Multinomial Logistic Regression (MLR) were used to analyze the data. The result of the study showed that the mean age of the processors was 48(±11.36). Majority (70.6%) of the bio-fortified cassava processor had a high market participation level with a mean household market participation index of 63.14±7.23%. About (58.75%) of the respondents were food insecure with moderate hunger level. The result of the MLR showed that farm income, the value of processed bio-fortified cassava output, susceptibility to sickness, membership of association and access to extension services were significantly related to food insecurity status of the bio-fortified cassava processor. Appropriate programs and policy measures that would increase the value of the processed bio-fortified cassava output and farm income should be targeted towards the processors as this would help to reduce their dependency and increase the food security status of their households.
Description
Keywords
Citation