Abstract:
This study was designed to assess the contribution
of the major food crops grown by
farmers to household food security in Patigi Local
Government Area, Kwara State. Simple random
sampling was used to collect the data. The sample s
ize were drawn from the three districts in the area
,
five villages from each districts and eight farmers
from each village which makes a total of 120
farmers. Primary data were obtained with the use of
questionnaire. Data collected were analyzed using
frequency and percentages. The results revealed tha
t rice, sorghum, maize, groundnut, melon, millet,
yam, cassava, beans and sweet-potatoes are the majo
r crops grown in the area. Farmers consume more
of rice (74.2%), sorghum (85%), cassava (72.5%), ma
ize (27.5%), yam (20.8%), beans (10.8%) and
sweet-potatoes (4.2%). They earn more revenue from
rice (87%), sorghum (35%), melon (14.2%),
yam (10.8%), maize (7.5%), groundnut (7.5%), cassav
a (5%) and millet (0.8). The study also showed
that farmers in the study area are relatively food
secure. Inputs such as fertilizer, processing and
storage facilities, improved seedlings, tractor, ac
cess to credit loan etc. should be made available t
o
encourage farmers to improve household food securit
y and raise their living standard. In addition,
efforts should be made by research institutes to ge
nerate improved technologies on farming.
