Effects of conflicts and government interventions on food security in Kano, Nigeria

• Main Author: Mahraz, Mukhtar Mustapha
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English; English
• Published: 2020
• Subjects: HB Economic Theory; HM Sociology.; JA Political science (General)
• Online Access: https://etd.uum.edu.my/10303/2/s901583_01.pdf; https://etd.uum.edu.my/10303/3/permission%20to%20deposit-allowed_s901583.pdf; https://etd.uum.edu.my/10303/

Majority of households in Kano are facing serious food security challenges, due to high rate of poverty, Boko Haram/Farmers-herders conflicts and neglect of government roles in the agriculture sector. The objectives of the study are to assess the status of household food security; to analyze factors (socioeconomic variables, conflicts and government interventions) influencing food security status; and to identify the coping strategies adopted by the food insecure households in Kano, Nigeria. A face-to-face survey of 426 household heads from three regions in Kano was conducted using a stratified sampling method. Descriptive analysis, food security index (FSI), coping strategy index (CSI) and binary regression logit models were used to analyze the data. Result reveals that 46 percent of the households were food secure. Main socioeconomic variables such as household head’s level of education, involvement in farming, expenditure, household size, farm size, age, livestock ownership and household member earning were significant in influencing household’s food security status. while the supply of modern inputs, challenges faced in accessing subsidized inputs, loan facility and amount, and extension service were the main variables of government intervention that influence household’s food security. Subsequently, variables related to conflicts such as low productivity, absence of extension agents and high cost of food and agricultural inputs, and security checkpoints operation were also significant in influencing household’s food security. CSI reveals that the most frequent and severe coping strategies adopted are; skipping meals for the whole day and selling assets/livestock. Results of this study recommended that government should create massive employment in agriculture sector, encourage business environment, sound education and family planning. Government’s owned ranches, cracking down of insurgents and carrot and stick should be considered to combat conflicts. Policies consistency and availability of funds should be a top priority by the government.