Food Security And National Development Implication For Home Economics Education In Oredo Local Government Areas Of Edo State

Abstract

Food Security And National Development Implication For Home Economics Education In Oredo Local Government Areas Of Edo State This research work explored the concept of food security and its relationship to national development studies indicate that food security, which is the availability of adequate meals for man’s consumption as he desires, is an essential ingredient for the development of any nation. Adequate productivity through a reduction in disease and by aiding mental and physical development.

The implications for Home Economics Education on food security and national development were examined and suggestions were then proffered for achieving national food security.

Conclusion

The outcome  of this  study  revealed  a  young vibrant  farming population  with  male dominance  with  majority  of  the  respondents  been  married,  with  one form  of  formal education or the  other. This study also indicated  that  majority of the respondents were food insecure consuming less than the recommended daily calories intake of 2260kcal. Food  secure  households  in  the  study  area  exceeded  the  calorie  requirement  by  69% while  the  food  insecure  households  fell  short  of  the  recommended  calorie intake  by 37%.It was further  found out that thefood security  situation  of the farming households in  the  study  area  was  determined  by  educational  level,  household  size,  farm  size  and total house hold income.

It can be concluded from this study that increase in educational level, farm size, household income and decrease in household size have the potential to increase  the  number  of food  secure  household  in  the  study  area.  Considering  these findings,  Government  should  provide  an  integrated  approach  that  promotes  formal education  as  regard farm  production  activities  among  farming  households  to  enhance their  production activities  thereby  improving  their  food  security  status.  It  was  further recommended  that  enlightenment  programmes  on  nutrition  and  birth  control  measure should be directed at the farming households in the study area.  This will  help to  check the  consumption  of  unbalanced  diets  and  uncontrolled  child  births  respectively.