Food Calorie Consumption and Vulnerability Status of the Rice Farmers in Ekiti State, Nigeria: Perspective for Commercialized Farming

Abstract

The research investigated the calorie consumption and vulnerability status among rice farmers in Ekiti State, Nigeria. Employing a multi-stage sampling technique, 420 respondents were selected, and data were collected through a well designed questionnaire. Analysis involved descriptive statistics, a vulnerability index, and an ordinary least squares regression model. Findings indicated that vulnerable rice farming households typically exhibit larger sizes with fewer working members, often headed by unmarried females. Additionally, factors such as adult equivalence, the head of the household's years of formal education, land ownership, membership in agricultural production groups, engagement in agricultural commercialization, contact with extension agents, and encounters with Fulani herdsmen significantly influenced households' food calorie consumption. Furthermore, all variables considered in the ordinary least squares regression, regarding vulnerability to food insecurity, exhibited a significant relationship with households' vulnerability to food insecurity. In summary, the study provides valuable insights into the demographic and socio-economic factors affecting calorie consumption and vulnerability among rice farmers, offering a foundation for targeted interventions and policy considerations.