Social Capital and Food Security among Rural Farming Households in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study assessed the relationship between the social capital of rural farming households in AkwaIbomState of Nigeria and the households’ foodsecurity status. One hundred and fifty household heads were selected for the study using multi-stage sampling procedure. Data obtained with the aid of a questionnaire were analyzed using descriptive statistics, food security index and Pearson’s product moment correlation. Findings showed that most of the respondents were males and were married, with their mean age being 54 years. The average years of the respondents’ farming experience was 20 years. Results also revealed that most of the rural farming households have an average level of social capital based on the 3-point categorization of low, average and high used in the study. The food security index showed that majority of the farming households are food secure and the Pearson’s product moment correlation analysis revealed that the households’ social capital status is significantly related to their food security status. It is recommended that Governmentaland Non-Governmental agencies in the State enlighten members of the rural farming households on the need to become members of the existing social groups in the study area in order to increase their social capital which has a direct relationship with the households’ food security status.