Browsing by Author "Ibrahim, H. I."

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    THE EFFECTS OF HOUSEHOLD SIZE AND ITS COMPOSITION ON FOOD PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION IN PARTS OF NASARAWA STATE, NIGERIA
    (Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension,Nasarawa State University, Keffi, 2011-08-04) Rahman, S. A.; Ibrahim, H. I.; Yahaya, H.
    One of the problems facing developing countries today is that of food insecurity. Access to and consumption of adequate and appropriate food by households is an important component of food security. A study was undertaken to examine how household size and its composition influence food security in the southern agricultural zone of Nasarawa State. Data were collected through the use of structured interview schedule administered on 200 household heads. Findings revealed that household sizes were relatively large and the composition is highly heterogeneous in nature. There was a significant difference between food production (2064.49 Kcal) and consumption (2564.69 Kcal) in the study area and this could lead to serious food insecurity. The various food items consumed include yam, cassava, rice, sorghum, Meat/Fish/Poultry products; indicating a good dietary diversity. The factors that were observed to have a significant effect on food production were cropping system, household size and farm size. Food consumption was significantly influenced by household size and number of crop enterprises only. It was concluded that increasing farm productivity through improved technologies can help to reduce the shortfall in the food production levels.