ABSTRACT

This research work evaluate food production, food supply and nutritional status of households in Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State. A total number of 405 households, were used in cross sectional study and the respondents each field the questionnaire which was divided into 4 sections namely; the socio-economic/ demographic characteristics of households in Ahiazu Mbaise, assess the food production, distribution and consumption among of households in Ahiazu Mbaise, determine the nutritional status of households in Ahiazu Mbaise and determine the effect of food system on nutritional status of households in Ahiazu Mbaise. The research found that, the socio-economic characteristics of the households, (42.7%) were males between the age 18 to 27 years, (33.8%) were males between 28 to 37 years. The ethnic groups in the study area, (94.3%) were males of Igbo ethnic group, (94.2%) were female of Igbo ethnic group. On the marital status of the households, (49.6% of males were found single, while (64.6%) of females were found married. On the types of family, majority (89.2% and 85.8%) were males and females monogamous family. The household size in the study area (47.8% and 55.0%) were males and females with 4 to 6 persons in the households. The living arrangements of the households, (36.2% lived alone, 23.5%) females lived with spouse and children. Average monthly income the result revealed that, majority 53.1% and 45.0% of males and females earned less than N30,000 the current minimum wage monthly, while the amount of money the households spent on food daily, (35.1% of males spent less than N500 daily, and 48.1%) females spent N500 - N1000 daily.  The attitude of the households towards food distribution revealed that the respondents always had a labour -intensive activity during the growing season, in selling of the produce they use a food system which occur between the farm gate which is done through means of marketing, most package to protect their produce from damage, dust, dirt, leakage, pilferage, evaporation, watering and contamination. On the negative and positive attitude of the respondents towards food production, it was revealed that the respondents had positive attitude towards food distribution. The Socio-economic and Nutritional status of the households revealed that there was a significant relationship (p=0.284) between respondents money spent on food and the income status of the respondents.