top of page

UNDERSTANDING THE NEXUS BETWEEN PARTICIPATION IN AGROFORESTRY AND FOOD SECURITY STATUS: EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE FROM RURAL HOUSEHOLDS IN KOGI STATE, NIGERIA

Nigerian Journal of Forestry, 49 (2) 120 - 125

Sale, F.A. and Shaibu, U. M. (2019)

Abstract
Participation in agroforestry services is associated with various benefits. Although Kogi State rural households have been practicing agroforestry, an attempt at empirically ascertaining the level of participation and quantitatively determining the relationship between such participation and food security status have not been examined. This study specifically described the socioeconomic characteristic of rural household heads participating in agroforestry activities and determined the relationship between participation in agroforestry and the food security status of households. Primary data were used for the study. The data were obtained from 240 randomly selected rural households from the four agricultural zones in Kogi State. The data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistical tools. The result shows that 70 % of the rural household head were males and a mean age of 43 years was recorded among the respondents. Majority (71.3 %) of the respondents were married with a mean household size of 6 members and 91.2 % have formal educational. Participation was more in planting and retaining of trees for economic gain. However, participation in; alley cropping, tree erosion control, and integration of trees, crops and rearing of livestock were low among the respondents. There was established association between participation in agroforestry and household food security status. Age, gender and education of respondents also impact food security status. The study recommends relevant support by government and other stakeholders to increase the level of rural household's participation in agroforestry activities.

bottom of page