COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND FOOD SECURITY WITHIN THE SELECTED HOUSEHOLDS IN KWARA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

ABSTRACT Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, attaining food security for all was an uphill task in Nigeria as the country recorded steady decline while the pandemic outbreak further widened the gap between relatively food-secure and food-insecure populations, especially in Kwara State of Nigeria. The aim of this study is to assess the pre and post Covid-19 pandemic food security decline profile within the households in Kwara State. The objectives were to: (i) investigate food security and insecurity levels of the households in 2019 and 2023; (ii) determine the disparity between 2019 and 2023 food security and insecurity levels of the households; and (iii) evaluate the post-pandemic factors linked to food insecurity rise within the households. Utilizing a quantitative research methodology, the descriptive study selected 401 respondents at random in 2019 and 2023 respectively; the analyses for the two surveys were based on descriptive statistics. The findings were: (i) food security levels of the households were 57.8% in 2019 and 41% in 2023, and their food insecurity levels were 42.2% in 2019 and 59% in 2023; (ii) the disparity between 2019 and 2023 food security and insecurity levels was 16.8% respectively; and (iii) the post-pandemic factors linked to food insecurity rise within the households included low income (73.6%), and high food prices (63.7%). The study concluded that there was a 16.8% decline in the food security of households between 2019 and 2023; and recommended multiple income stream to boost economic food access.