Household Food Security Status, Food Accessibility and Coping Strategies in Egor Local Government Area, Edo State, Nigeria

This study assessed the food security status among households in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. The study was guided by four specific objectives: to investigate the food security status of households, to determine the level of food availability and accessibility, to identify constraints faced in accessing food, and to examine the coping strategies adopted during periods of food shortage. A descriptive survey research design was employed for the study. The population comprised about 73,891 households in Egor Local Government Area, from which a representative sample of 350 was selected using a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics such as mean and standard deviation. The findings revealed that a significant proportion of households experienced varying degrees of food insecurity, characterized by limited access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food. Food availability was found to be moderately high, while accessibility was constrained by factors such as low income, high food prices, unemployment, and inadequate storage facilities. Major constraints identified included poverty, inflation, poor transportation systems, and seasonal food shortages. Households adopted several coping strategies during food shortages, including reducing meal sizes, relying on seasonal foods during scarcity, household engaging in urban farming/gardening, reducing spending on non-food items to buy food and households planning meals carefully to manage food among others. Based on the findings, the study concluded that food insecurity remains a critical challenge among households in Egor Local Government Area. It was recommended that the government and relevant stakeholders should implement policies aimed at improving household income, enhancing food production, stabilising food prices, and promoting access to affordable and nutritious food.