An Analysis of Socio-Economic Characteristics and Food Security Situation among Semi-Urban Households: A Case Study of Biu and Bama Local Government Areas in Borno State, Nigeria

Abstract

The paper analyzed the socio-economic characteristics and food security situation among semi-urban households in Biu and Bama Local Government Areas in Borno State, Nigeria. Well structured questionnaire were used to source information from 198 randomly selected households. Descriptive statistics, Cost-of-Calorie Function (COC) and Logit model were used to analyze the data. The study revealed that mean age of respondents was 45 years and they spent an average of 8 years in formal education. Also, mean monthly income level was about N40,000 and assets base was at an average of N194,000. The food security line was found to be N66.17 per day per adult equivalent and 44% of the households were food secure. Significant  and positive variables in explaining the variation in food security status include education, farm size, income, contacts with extension agents, cooperative membership, family labour, assets, farm enterprise, farming experience and food diversity. Child dependency ratio and gender though significant, negatively influence food security. Results also showed that crop production, monthly wages and petty trading were the major sources of income in the study area. The study, therefore recommended improvement of wage earning capacity, more income diversification opportunities and increased awareness to family planning facilities were proffered.

Keywords: Food security, Determinant, Socio-economic characteristics, Income generation and Semi-urban households.