ABSTRACT

 Achieving food security and reducing malnutrition is still a major problem for farmers in most part of Nigeria despite the fact that they arc the main producers of food. This study was therefore designed to assess the food and nutrition security status of farmers in Ohaiia local government area ofAbia state. Nigeria. The study utilized a multi-stage random sampling technique to select a sample of 400 farmers for interview. Using a validated questionnaire, data were collected and were analyzed using frequency, percentages, Pearson chi-square test and food security index. P<0.05 was accepted to be statistically significant. The data collected on the socioeconomic status ofthe respondents showed that 34.0% completed secondary education, 33.3% completed tertiary education while few (12.5%) had no formal education. It also revealed that 25.0% ofthe farmers earned a monthly income from N 18,000 and below while 16.8% earned a monthly income of N50.000 and above. The prevalence ofunderweight, overweight and obesity observed in this study was 5.8%. 34.0% and 13.4% respectively. Judging with the anthropometric status and the sanitary environment ofthe respondents, the study revealed that their nutrition security status is poor. Using the food security index approach, the study revealed that 56% of the respondents were food insecure, 43.5% were moderately food secure while 0.5% were food secure. The study also revealed that 69.8% of the respondents had farmland as their major asset, 55.8% of the farmers had experienced massive floods/storm surge while 85.3% ofthem do not have access to modern farm implement/technology which determined their food production rate. The data collected on the coping strategics employed by farmers in this study revealed that 74% reduced number of meals eaten in a day while 15.8% and 12.5% went to beg and stayed for an entire day without eating respectively. The effect offood security on body mass index was negative because the more food insecure they were, the less the BMI. The effect of socio-economic status on food security was positive because an increase in the monthly income of the respondents led to an increase in food security status ofthe respondents. The study therefore recommends that the nutrition security status ofthe farmers should be improved. The various government administrators should mobilize nutritionists, agricultural extension officers to educate the farmers on the need to eat adequate meals, to seek for health care and also live in a sanitary environment in order to improve their health status and also for a good nutritional outcome. It also recommends the fast tracking ol already established policy measures aimed at reducing food insecurity in the country.