Food Production Practices And Nutritional Status Of Okwosu Villagers In Amauzari Of Isiala Mbano, Local Government Area, Imo State.

ABSTRACT

The study was conducted in Okwosu village in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State to determine the food production practices and Nutritional Status of farmers. Data was drawn from 100 respondents — 50 males and 50 females. A structured questionnaire was administered and information collected on personal data, access to resources, food production and processing techniques. Their anthropometric attributes were also taken. Biochemical examination was also conducted to determine the relationship between the nutritional status of the farmers and their food production practices. From the questionnaire administered, it was observed that 42% were married, 42% had monthly income of N7,000 and above. 33% were above 60 years of age. Majority of the respondents (75%) used hoe and cutlass in farming. More than half of the respondents had poor harvest due to lack of implements, poor soil and climate conditions. A total of 25 of the respondents were underweight. 75% of the people examined had low iron level while 25% had normal iron level. From the correlation analysis carried out, it was discovered that there was a very weak relationship (0.08) between their food production practices and their nutritional status. It was therefore evident that the nutritional status of the farmers was not dependent on their Food production practices. It was also seen that some of the reasons why the farmers had poor harvest was inadequate infrastructures or because improved farm inputs were above the reach of poor farmers. This study therefore provided a body of framework that could be used for designing appropriate intervention programmes to reduce the poor harvest by the farmers. Government should also try to provide basic infrastructures and improve farm inputs at subsidized rate to the farmers, they should also provide efficient supervising officials to ensure that such facilities gel to the farmers whom they are intended.