IIARD International Institute of Academic Research and Development

International Journal of Agriculture and Earth Science (IJAES )

E- ISSN 2489-0081
P- ISSN 2695-1894
VOL. 11 NO. 4 2025
DOI: 10.56201/ijaes.vol.11.no4.2025.pg20.28

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The Role of Tuber Crops Production in Enhancing Food Security in Nigeria: A Variance Decomposition Analysis

Oraka, E O and Abu, O

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Abstract

This study analyzed the role of tuber crops production in enhancing food security in Nigeria. The study adopted a longitudinal documentary survey design that made use of time series data spanning from the year 1981-2021. Data on the variables for the study were collected from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Bank database. Data for this study were analyzed using Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) test, Philips-Perron (PP) test, Johansen co- integration and variance decomposition. The result of the Augmented Dickey Fuller (ADF) test for unit root indicated that all the variables were found to be integrated of order one and became stationary on first differencing. The result of Johansen co-integration test indicated that there exist co-integration among the variables. The result of Variance decomposition indicated that contribution from cassava yield is strongly exogenous (0.106%) in the short run; potato yield has strong exogenous impact (0.016%) on food security in the short run; while yam yield is moderately exogenous (6.403%) in the short run. The study concluded that enhancing the productivity and resilience of cassava, yam, and potatoes can provide a robust foundation for improving food security in Nigeria. The study therefore recommended that policy makers should formulate and implement policies that support the growth and stability of the tuber crop sector, including subsidies, tax incentives, and price stabilization mechanisms.

keywords:

Tuber, Production, Food, Security, Variance, Decomposition

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