DETERMINANTS OF FOOD EXPENDITURE AND HOUSEHOLD FOOD SECURITY STATUS OF FARMING HOUSEHOLDS IN OGBOMOSO ADP ZONE OF OYO STATE.

This study examined the determinants of food expenditure and assessed the food security status
of farming households in Ogbomoso ADP Zone, Oyo State, Nigeria. Primary data were
collected from 150 farming households through a multistage sampling technique and analyzed
using descriptive statistics, multiple regression, and the Foster–Greer–Thorbecke (FGT) food
security index. The average age of household heads was 49 years, with 78% male respondents,
while mean household size was five persons. About 37% had tertiary education, and average
farming experience was 13 years. The mean monthly household income was ₦67,890, while
average monthly food expenditure was ₦57,493, accounting for more than 75% of income.
Regression results showed that household size (Coeff. = 0.07427) significantly increased food
expenditure (p < 0.01), farming experience (Coeff. = -0.02311) reduced it (p < 0.10), and
household income (Coeff. = 3.09e-08) positively influenced it (p < 0.05). The FGT analysis
revealed that 62.9% of households were food insecure, with a depth of 21.9% and severity of
14.8%, showing the paradox of farming households being food producers yet facing high
vulnerability to food insecurity. These findings align with previous studies in Nigeria that
highlight the central role of household size, experience, and income in shaping food security
outcomes. The study concludes that household size, farming experience, and income are key
determinants of food expenditure and food security among farming households in the study area.
It recommends family planning, integrated interventions such as productivity-enhancing
technologies, off-farm income diversification, nutrition education, and targeted social protection
programs to reduce food insecurity and improve household welfare.