Assessing Household Vulnerability to Food Insecurity and Coping Strategies in Nigeria: An Empirical Analysis

Abstract

This study investigated the incidence of food insecurity vulnerability and the coping strategies employed among farming households in Nigeria, with a panel dataset spanning from year 2012 to 2018. Using a Correlated Random Effects (CRE) model across three waves, the study assessed the factors determining households’ vulnerability to food insecurity over time. Key findings from the Fixed Effects model indicated that higher dependency ratios and increased spending on purchased food items elevated households’ food expenditure, while flooding was also found to have a dampening effect. The CRE model revealed that larger households and older household heads consistently have higher food expenditures, while access to formal credit, access to agricultural extension services, and mode of land acquisition significantly reduced expenditure in the long term. Environmental factors, such as poor rainfall and flooding also impact food costs significantly, which underscore the financial burden of climate shocks. Despite various coping strategies such as reduction in food quality and skipping meals, mild to moderate food insecurity situations remain prevalent, affecting less than 50% of households, which points to a persistent food insecurity among Nigerian households, with a slight reduction in vulnerability due to Progress in agricultural practices. Consequent on the findings, this study underscores the critical need for targeted interventions to enhance resilience and food security status among the vulnerable farming communities in the study area.