Contribution of Food Crops to Household Food Securi ty Among Crop Farmers in Patigi Local Government Area, Kwara State, Nigeria

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.