Dietary Diversity and Food Insecurity Coping Strategies among Farming Households in Kano, Nigeria

Abstract

The objectives of this study are to determine the dietary diversity and coping strategies of farming households in Kano, Nigeria. Using a sample size of 256 farming household heads drawn from 10 local government areas, the research investigated farming households dietary diversity status using dietary diversity score and coping strategies using in-context or original coping strategy index. Results from the dietary diversity score indicated that 53% of the farming households are classified under high dietary diversity, eating food groups ranging from (6 and above), average dietary diversity scores in Kano, Nigeria is estimated at 8 indicating 8 food groups consumed as average among the farming households in the study area. Results from coping strategy index also indicated that the most frequent and severe coping strategies in the area include selling of assets and livestock and skipping meals, while children eating first, eating less preferred foods and less expensive food, removing or relocating children to less expensive school, borrowing money or purchasing food on credit and reduction in consumption pattern of households all represent less severe coping strategies in the study area. The research suggested that, dietary diversity need to be improves and in term of coping strategy, households need to shift from selling of assets and livestock and skipping meals to a less severe and reversible coping strategies. Government needs to introduce policies that can directly affect the welfare of farming household especially in agriculture to reduce poverty.