Effect of Agricultural Commercialization on Dietary Diversity Among Rural Farm Households in Ido Local Government Area, Oyo State, Nigeria
Abstract
This research evaluates the effect of agricultural commercialization on the dietary diversity of rural farm households in the Ido Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria. The dietary diversity, which is recognized conventionally as the key indicator of food security, was determined using the Household Dietary Diversity Scores (HDDS), which enumerate the food group consumption over the specified period. The data represented 240 rural respondents, with 66.7% male and 33.3% female, of which 75% of the study population was married, with an average size of five members per household. About 97.9% of the respondents earned less than ? 50,000 monthly. Results indicate that 74.2% of the respondents had a commercialization index between 0.81 and 1.00, and 65.0% had medium dietary diversity. Results indicate a negative relationship between agricultural commercialization and dietary diversity, and that improved market participation does not necessarily lead to better nutritional outcomes. This study concludes that although commercialization increases income opportunities among farmers, farmers should be urged to allocate increased agricultural income to purchase diverse and nutritious foodstuffs.
Keywords
Agricultural Commercialization
Dietary Diversity
Rural Farm Households
Food Security
Nutrient Adequacy
Ido LGA.
References
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