Factors Influencing Food Security among Loan default Farmers in Kwara State, Nigeria

Jatto N.A.^1*, Shettima B.A.¹, Ibrahim Z.G.², Gunu U.I.³ and Obalola T.O.¹

¹Department of Agricultural Economics, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, PMB 2346, Sokoto, Nigeria.

²Department of Agricultural Science, Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, PMB 2129, Sokoto, Nigeria.

³Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Federal University, Dutsinma, PMB 5001, Katsina, Nigeria.

Accepted December 18, 2017

The objective of the study is to assess the factors influencing food security among loan default farmers in Kwara State, Nigeria. A list of members of Kwara State Apex farmers cooperatives union that consisted of 3100 agricultural loan defaulters was obtained to form the sampling frame. The frame was stratified into four, based on the existing Agricultural Development Program zones in the state. A proportionate sampling technique was used in selecting the 400 agricultural loan defaulters. Data collected with questionnaire were analyzed using logistics regression. The result showed that dependency ratio, years of education, farm size, and repayment period and farmers income influences the food security of defaulting farmers. The marginal probability estimates showed that years of education had the highest influence on defaulting farmers food security status. It was concluded that the probability of food security among the default farm households is more responsive to a change in years of education. In view of this, a strategy for effective households is recommended.

Key words: Factors influencing, Food security, Loan, default, and Farmers.

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