Investigating food insecurity, health and environment-related factors, and agricultural commercialization in Southwestern Nigeria: evidence from smallholder farming households

Dietary diversity, nutritional status, and agricultural commercialization: evidence from adult men of rural farm households

Access to healthy and affordable diet hinged on the realization of Sustainable Development Goal 2, higher productivity and, economic prosperity while it is difficult for a poorly nourished people to achieve optimum production of goods and services. This study assessed whether dietary diversity (DD) and nutritional status of adult men are associated with crop commercialization index (CCI) levels of agricultural households in two states of Southwestern Nigeria. This research utilized 352 farm households, comprising 277 adult male members. The individual version of dietary diversity score (DDS) of 9 food groups was used to calculate adult men's DDS over a 24-h recall. Anthropometric data was obtained using body mass index (BMI) while CCI levels was estimated for each agricultural household. Logistic regression and ordered logit models were used to examine the determinants of adult men's dietary diversity and nutritional status respectively. Hundred percent of adult men consumed starchy staples, with 11.2% consuming egg, 5.8% milk and milk products and 0.4% consuming organ meat over 24-h recall. Adult men of CCI 2 and CCI 4 agricultural households recorded overweight prevalence of >20% in Ogun state while the association between DDS and CCI was statistically insignificant suggesting that being a member of any of the CCI households may not guarantee the consumption of healthy diets among adult men. From Logit regression analysis, it is more likely for adult men with higher farm size to attain the minimum DDS of 4 food groups than those with smaller size of farmland (OR = 4.78; 95% CI: 1.94, 11.76; p = 0.001). The age, farm experience, and cassava marketing experience were positively related to the likelihood of obtaining the minimum DDS. For adult men to achieve a healthy diet, their diet pattern must incorporate a more diversified intake of food from different food groups capable of improving their nutritional status. This study emphasized the need for relevant stakeholders to provide adequate nutrition knowledge intervention programmes capable of improving the diets and nutrition of adult men and other members of farm households.

The Role of Traditional Leafy Vegetables on Household Food Security in Umdoni Municipality of the KwaZulu Natal Province, South Africa

This study assessed the effect of traditional leafy vegetables (TLVs) on the level of food security in the rural area of Dlangezwa, in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. A total of 100 respondents were selected using a simple random sampling method. The Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) was used to measure the food security status. The influence of TLVs on household food security was examined using an ordered logit model. Pumpkin leaves and blackjack were the most consumed traditional leafy vegetables in the study area, at 97% and 81%, respectively. The results from HFIAS showed that 17% of the households were food secure, 44% were mild food insecure, 26% were moderately food insecure and 13% were severely food insecure. The results from the chi2 test showed that there was a significant correlation between the intake of cowpeas (p = 0.02), blackjack (p = 0.01), and moringa (p = 0.02) with the degree of household food security in the surveyed houses. The ordered logit model's findings indicated that consumption of leafy vegetables, educational attainment, employment status, and marital status all had a substantial impact on the food insecurity of the households. The marital status of a household showed a positive and significant impact on the food insecurity situation, while educational level, employment status, and consumption of leafy vegetables showed a negative and significant impact. For enhanced household food security, there is a need for initiatives that encourage the use of a wide range of traditional leafy vegetables such as Moringa oleifera, Amaranthus, and cowpeas. More awareness should be made regarding the nutritional benefits that TLVs have.

Neighborhood Unsafety, Discrimination, and Food Insecurity among Nigerians Aged 15-49

We investigated the association between discrimination, neighborhood unsafety, and household food insecurity (FI) among Nigerian adults, as well as the gender-specific differences in these associations. Our analysis utilized data from the 2021 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), comprising 56,146 Nigerian adults aged 15-49 (17,346 males and 38,800 females). For bivariate analysis, we employed the Rao-Scott chi-square test to examine the relationship between predictors (discrimination, neighborhood unsafety, and a composite variable of both) and the outcome variable (FI). Food insecurity was assessed using both a dichotomous measure (food insecure vs. food secure) and a multinomial variable (food secure, mild FI, moderate FI, and severe FI). To model the association between predictors and FI while controlling for potential confounding factors, we utilized weighted binary and multinomial logistic regression. Among Nigerian adults, the prevalence of having ever experienced FI was 86.1%, with the prevalence of mild FI, moderate FI, and severe FI being 11.5%, 30.1%, and 44.5%, respectively. In the binary model, experiencing discrimination (OR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.19-1.55), living in an unsafe neighborhood (OR = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.14-1.54), and facing both discrimination and unsafe neighborhood conditions (OR = 1.97, 95% CI = 1.57-2.48) were significantly associated with FI. In the multinomial model, discrimination, neighborhood unsafety, and experiencing both remained associated with moderate and severe FI. In the gender-specific models, discrimination and neighborhood unsafety were found to be significantly associated with FI in women but not in men. This study underscores the importance of implementing policies and programs that address the underlying causes of food insecurity, with specific attention to discrimination and neighborhood safety concerns, particularly for Nigerian women.

The pattern of healthy diets and zero hunger among households in South-West Nigeria: application of linear approximation to quadratic almost ideal demand system

Malnutrition and food insecurity remain a significant public health challenge globally, affecting millions of people, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. In Nigeria, the prevalence of malnutrition and food insecurity is high, with a significant burden in the South-West region. Despite several interventions aimed at promoting healthy diets and reducing food insecurity, little is known about the pattern of healthy diets and zero hunger among households, as well as the budget shares on the food items driving these outcomes. Therefore, this study analyzes the pattern of healthy diets and zero hunger among households in South-West Nigeria, using the primary data elicited from 600 rice-consuming households, drawn through a multistage random sampling technique. Descriptive statistics and Linear Approximation to Quadratic Almost Ideal Demand System (LA-QUAIDS) model were used to analyze the dataset. The estimated LA-QUAIDS model was helpful to decipher the relationships that may not be possible to discover using a single-equation model. The finding of this study revealed that rice, especially local (Ofada) rice, is the most consumed food item among the households in the study area with a monthly budget share of 0.195. This is an indication that households spend approximately 19.5% of their monthly food expenditure share on rice consumption. The results also indicated that yam flour (-0.10), cassava-gari (-2.12), and meat (-0.03) are net complements to rice, while the rest of the food items are regarded as net substitutes. The estimated compensated (-1.64) and uncompensated (-1.69) own-price elasticities of local rice, respectively, indicate that local rice variety is price inelastic, and the estimated expenditure elasticity (0.02) suggests that local rice is not a luxury food in the household food basket but a necessity. This study affirms the importance of locally produced foods, especially local rice to the households in the study area. In light of the findings, this study recommends adequate policy aimed at reducing the cost of local food production by boosting domestic production. Apparently, this will technically trigger market price adjustment, as shown in this study, where local rice was estimated to be own-price elastic in nature.

Household food insecurity and hunger status in Debre Berhan town, Central Ethiopia: Community-based cross-sectional study

Background

Food security occurs when all people have physical, social, and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food that fits their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life at all times. There is limited evidence on this topic and not well studied in Ethiopia.

Objective

This study aimed to investigate food insecurity and hunger status among households (HHs) in Debre Berhan town, Ethiopia.

Methods

A community-based cross-sectional study was undertaken from 1 January 2017 to 30 January 2017. A simple random sampling technique was used to enroll 395 HHs for the study. An interviewer-administered, structured, and pretested questionnaire was used to collect data through a face-to-face interview. The household food security and hunger status were assessed by using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale and the Household Hunger Scale, respectively. Data were entered and cleaned using Epiata 3.1 and exported to SPSS software version 20 for statistical analysis. Logistic regression was fitted, and an odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval (CI) and a value of p of less than 0.05 were used to identify factors associated with food insecurity.

Results

A total of 377 HHs participated in the study with a response rate of 95.4%. The proportion of households with food insecurity was 32.4%, among which mild, moderate, and severe food insecurity accounted for 10.3, 18.8, and 3.2%, respectively. The mean score of the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale was 1.88 ± 3.5. Hunger occurred among 3.2% of households. The mean score of the Household Hunger Scale was 2.17 ± 1.03. Husband or male cohabitant's occupation (AOR = 2.68; 95% CI: 1.31-5.48) and wife or female cohabitant's literacy (AOR = 3.10; 95% CI: 1.01- 9.55) were the only factors associated with HH food insecurity.

Conclusion

HH food insecurity and hunger in Debre Berhan town were unacceptably high, which can hamper achieving national targets for food security, nutrition, and health. Intensified efforts are further needed to accelerate the decline in food insecurity and hunger prevalence. Therefore, interventions need to target self-employed merchants in small businesses and women who are uneducated.

Exploring dietary diversity, nutritional status of adolescents among farm households in Nigeria: do higher commercialization levels translate to better nutrition?

Purpose

This study aims to explore dietary diversity (DD) and nutritional status of adolescents among rural farm households in Southwestern Nigeria. It analyses whether higher commercialization levels of farm households translate to better nutrition.

Design/methodology/approach

This study was conducted in Ogun and Oyo States of Southwestern Nigeria, using primary data from 352 farm households with a total of 160 adolescent members. The individual version of dietary diversity score (DDS) of nine food groups was used to calculate adolescent DDS over a 24-h recall period. World Health Organization AnthroPlus software was used in analyzing adolescents’ anthropometric data (height-for-age z-score and body mass index-for-age z-score) while household crop commercialization index (CCI) was estimated for each farm household. Separate logit models were used to examine the drivers of adolescents’ DD and malnutrition.

Findings

The study findings indicated that 100% of the adolescents consumed starchy staples while 0%, 3.1% and 12.5% consumed organ meat, milk/milk products and eggs, respectively. Results revealed that 74.1% and 21.2% of boys were stunted and thin while the prevalence in adolescent girls was 50.7% and 9.3%, respectively. Prevalence of stunting was found to be very high (60%–83%) in all the four CCI levels’ households indicating that belonging to highly commercialized households (CCI 3–4) may not necessarily translate to better nutrition of adolescent members. Food expenditure (p < 0.01) and access to piped water (p < 0.01) negatively influenced adolescents’ stunting mainly because of lower expenditure on food items and lower percent of household having access to piped water, respectively, while education (p < 0.01) had positive effects on adolescents’ DD.

Originality/value

Previous studies have contributed to the body of knowledge concerning the link between agricultural commercialization and nutrition using under-five children of the households. However, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that investigated the influence of CCI on DDS and nutritional status of adolescent members of farm households in Nigeria. This study fills this existing knowledge gap in investigating adolescents’ DD and malnutrition among smallholder farm households.

COVID-19 Pandemic Impacted Food Security and Caused Psychosocial Stress in Selected States of Nigeria

The COVID-19 disease has infected many countries, causing generalized impacts on different income categories. We carried out a survey among households (n = 412) representing different income groups in Nigeria. We used validated food insecurity experience and socio-psychologic tools. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The earning capacities of the respondents ranged from 145 USD/month for low-income earners to 1945 USD/month for high-income earners. A total of 173 households (42%) ran out of food during the COVID-19 pandemic. All categories of households experienced increasing dependency on the general public and a perception of increasing insecurity, with the high-income earners experiencing the greatest shift. In addition, increasing levels of anger and irritation were experienced among all categories. Of the socio-demographic variables, only gender, educational level of the household head, work hours per day, and family income based on society class were associated (p < 0.05) with food security and hunger due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although psychological stress was observed to be greater in the low-income earning group, household heads with medium and high family income were more likely to have satisfactory experiences regarding food security and hunger. It is recommended that socio-economic groups should be mapped and support systems should target each group to provide the needed support in terms of health, social, economic, and mental wellness.

Assessing agricultural commercialization and rural infrastructure development in rural Southwestern Nigeria: evidence from smallholder cassava farmers

This study assessed agricultural commercialization and rural infrastructure development of smallholder cassava farmers in rural Southwestern Nigeria. The study was conducted in Nigeria with cross-sectional data collected from 352 smallholder cassava farmers. Crop commercialization index (CCI) was used to compute each farmer’s CCI and categorized into four levels while ordered logit model was employed to analyze the determinants of agricultural commercialization of cassava farmers in the study areas. Availability of some important rural infrastructures were assessed across cassava farmers’ commercialization levels. The results revealed that 13.1 % of cassava farmers did not participate in the sale of cassava roots while 86.9 % of them participated actively in the output market. The mean and maximum CCI in the study areas was 59.1 and 95.5 respectively. The results also showed that less than 40 % and 20 % of cassava farmers in all commercialization levels had access to electricity and piped water respectively. The ordered logit regression analysis indicated that age, transport cost, cassava marketing experience, and distance to market were among the determinants of agricultural commercialization. Therefore, stakeholders should expedite policy actions capable of promoting rural infrastructure development that will enhance agricultural production, marketing and improve the quality of life of rural farming communities.

Nutrition Outcomes of Under-five Children of Smallholder Farm Households: Do Higher Commercialization Levels Lead to Better Nutritional Status?

The study investigated the nutritional status of under-five children of farm households. The study utilized primary data from 352 farm households with 140 under-five children. Household crop commercialization index (CCI) was used to estimate cassava farm household crop sale ratio and categorize the households into four commercialization levels while WHO Anthro software was employed to analyze under-five children anthropometric indices such as weight-for-age z-score (WAZ), height-for-age z-score (HAZ) and weight-for-height z-score (WHZ). Logit regression model (LRM) was used to examine the drivers of under-five children's nutritional status of farm households. The study found that 42.9%, 7.9% and 3.6% of the children are stunted, underweight and wasted respectively. The highest stunting level was recorded in zero level households (CCI 1). Although, some higher CCI households (medium-high and very-high level) recorded increased percent of stunted children. This revealed that being a member of low or high-level commercialization households may not guarantee better nutritional status of young children of farm households. The results of LRM indicated that the predictors of children nutritional status were child's age, farm size, access to electricity, healthcare and commercialization variables. Moreover, weak positive and negative relationships exist between CCI and children's nutrition outcomes as measured by the z-scores. The study recommended maternal nutrition-sensitive education intervention that can improve nutrition knowledge of mothers and provision of infrastructure that enhance increased farm production and promote healthy living among farm households.

Multisectoral intervention on food security in complex emergencies: a discourse on regional resilience praxis in Northeast Nigeria

Sustainable livelihood as an enabler of food security can be constrained by climate variability and violent conflicts, with dire consequences in regions with crude adaptation practices. The effects of such 'complex emergency crises' on food production and livelihoods in Northeast Nigeria impair human security and resilience, particularly, in the Boko Haram ravaged Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states, and the adjoining Lake Chad region. This study examines the efficacy of multisectoral interventions on food security and resilience in Northeast Nigeria, using the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach. Its thematic analysis of qualitative data was supported by the Cadre Harmonisé (CH) regional report of acute food insecurity assessment in the Sahel. It reveals that due to less collaborative and disjointed implementation of multi-stakeholder interventions across critical sectors, the humanitarian, food, and livelihood interventions marginally improve food security and resilience in the region. It recommends that livelihood outcomes and sustainability of the regional resource base be prioritised through diversification of food production, development aid and a holistic regional stabilisation programme. The impact of these mechanisms on agribusiness transformation and long-term food security in northeast Nigeria are significant for adaptation and sustainable livelihood in complex emergencies.