ANALYSIS OF INCOME INEQUALITIES AND FOOD SECURITY AMONG FARMERS IN ABIA STATE, SOUTH EASTERN NIGERIA
Published in Scientific Papers. Series "Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and rural development", Vol. 14 ISSUE 3
Written by Nnanna M. AGWU, Ogbonnaya Ukeh OTEH
The study analysed income inequalities and food security status o f farmers in South Eastern Nigeria, using Abia State. Specifically, the study accessed the income inequalities o f farmers; determine the food security status o f the farmers; estimate the factors that influence food security among the farmers in the study area. Multi-stage sampling technique was adopted in the selection o f location and 180 respondents usedfor the study. The study employed Ginicoefficient, food security index and multiple regressions in the analysis o f the data collected. Result shows that Gini coefficient value was 0.67, showing that there was high income inequality in the study area. Majority o f the respondents, constituting about 68.57 percent were food insecure in the study area. The regression results showed that age o f the household head, educational attainment o f the household head and monthly income o f the head were the major determinants o f food security status in the study area. The study recommends that government policies targeted at farmers should be strengthened, in order to bridge the gap in farmers ’ income. Government should also create opportunities for small scale businesses to flourish in ural areas. This will provide the people the much needed income, amongst other things.
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