Socio-economic determinants of food security among households in borno state, nigeria: probit regression model approach

This study examined the determinants of household food security in Borno State. Multistage simple random sampling procedure was used in the drawing of sample. Structured questionnaires and focus groups discussions were used in collecting data for the study. Data were collected from 500 households in 18 villages in six Local Government Areas, of the region between 2008 and 2009. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistic and probit regression model. It has been identified that household size (p<0.05), TLU (p<0.05) (Tropical Livestock Unit) owned by the household, household per adult equivalent daily income (p<0.01), quantity of food from own production (p<0.01), dependency ratio (p<0.05) and extent of produce commercialization (p<0.01) are the significant determinants of household food security among the households. Based on the findings of the study, the following are possible areas of intervention to mitigate the problem of food insecurity of the households in the area: policies aimed at improving agricultural productivity through the use of improved technologies should be promoted; efforts that could boost household income generation should be promoted; the issue of child labour has to be seriously looked into in the State.