Comparative Gender Dimensions in Food Unsecured Farm Households in Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

This Study was conducted to compare gender dimensions in farm households with challenges of food insecurity in Orsu local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria. Cross sectional data from forty male-headed and forty female-headed farm households selected purposively from a random sample of ten out of 21 communities of Orsu Local Government Area of the state was subjected to descriptive and inferential statistical analyses. Male-headed farm households posted food insecurity line of Naira9, 278.78 as against Naira5, 243.67 shown by female-headed farm households. These household groups had head count food insecurity incidence (ratios) of 0.375 and 0.250 for male-headed and female-headed farm households respectively. The female-headed farm households were relatively more food secured than their male counter-parts. Food insecurity in male-headed farm households was determined by dependency ratio, education level, monthly expenditure, frequency of contact with agricultural extension agency, and status of farming. In the female-headed farm households, food insecurity was determined by household size, level of education, monthly expenditure, age of household head, and frequency of contact with agricultural extension agency. The most sensitive variables that needed to be increased to alleviate food insecurity in farm households were farm size, and frequency of contact with extension agents Farm households should enhance productivity of their food crops and livestock by adopting technologies recommended by agricultural extension outfits to help cushion devastating effects of food insecurity amongst them.