Libraries at University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Date of this Version
Winter 11-2-2016
Abstract
Food security is one of the targets of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and is widely considered a useful measure for evaluating the progress of a country in terms of wellbeing. Despite, various concern by governments all over the world on ensuring that every household can at least provide three square meals per day, food insecurity continues to be a major development problem across the globe, undermining people’s health, productivity, and often their very survival. Evidence suggests that Nigerians food production is increasing at less than 2.0% while population growth rate is estimated to be 2.5% per annum. The suggested disparity indicates that low rate of food production and high rate of population growth will generate high rate of food demand, thereby causing food Demand-Supply gap which can give rise to food insecurity. Thus the study analyzed household food security in Kaduna state using consumption surveys containing subjective (qualitative) data. The study revealed that on average, only 14 percent of the households were food secured. Hence, 47 percent of the households were found to be food insecured without hunger and 36 percent were food insecured with hunger. Furthermore, the findings also showed that at least 38 percent of the household live below one hundred dollar ($100), 52 percent are fairly living on a hundred dollar ($100) while only 10 percent live above one hundred dollars margin. Income level of households was found to be a factor that will provide them with greater food adequacy. Some actions to be taken by librarians to ensure the provision of sustainable information for households were highlighted. Recommendations based on policies were also proffered to improve upon the food security and hygiene of households.