Gender dimensions of food security status among rural farminghouseholds in dekina local government kogi state, nigeria

This research work examined the gender dimensions of food security among rural households in Dekina Local Government of Kogi State, Nigeria. The respondents were drawn using multi-stage random sampling technique.A total of 120 respondents were selected, comprising of 60 male headed household and 60 female headed household. The data were elicited through the use of a well-structured questionnaire and were analysed using descriptive statistics, FGT analysis and logit regression model. The result showed that food insecurity exists among both male and female-headed households but more severe with the latter. The factor that influences food security status of households in the study area were household size, years of formal education, and annual income. Household size was significant at 1% and 5% level with negativecoefficient, among the male-headed households’ and female headed households respectively. Year of formal education was positive and significant at 5% among the male headed households. Annual incomewas significant at 1% level with positivecoefficient among the female-headed households. The major coping strategies adopted by male-headed households in mitigating the effects of food insecurity include: diversion of money meant for other purposes to buy food (M=2.52), reduction in quality and quantity of food consumed (M=2.43) and eating foods that are less preferred while that of female-headed households were; eating foods that are less preferred (M=2.40), eating cheaper meals out of home (M=2.33), reduction in quality and quantity of food consumed (M=2.28), borrowing food from friends and relative (M=2.25) and engaging in off-farm jobs to increase household income. The study concludes that since food insecurity affects both female and male headed households, but with greater impact on the former.The study recommends that gender responsive food policies, programs, institutional interventions be put in place.