Experience-based food insecurity and agricultural productivity in Nigeria

Abstract

In this study, we use panel data, three waves (2010–2016), to investigate the impact of agricultural productivity on experience-based measures of food security among Nigerian households. Experience-based measures of food security capture the diversity of diets, food shortage, and other aspects of food security, including psychological and behavioral manifestations of insecure food access. In Nigeria, the agricultural sector contributed about 22.35% to the nation's gross domestic product during 2021. In addition, almost 70% of Nigerians engage in farming for subsistence purposes, with climate change and poor irrigation systems affecting their agricultural productivity. Consistent with previous work linking higher agricultural productivity with better welfare outcomes among Nigerian households, we find that an increase in agricultural productivity increases food security as measured by experience-based indicators. Specifically, a 10% growth in agricultural productivity decreases the likelihood of (i) relying on less preferred foods, (ii) limiting the variety of food eaten, and (iii) limiting portion size at mealtimes by 3.7%, 3.9%, and 1.9%, respectively.