POVERTY, FOOD SECURITY, AND COPING STRATEGIES AMONG FLUTED PUMPKIN FARMERS IN RESPONSE TO RISING PRODUCTION COSTS IN OGUN STATE, NIGERIA
Publication Type: Journal Article.
Publication Year: 2026
Author(s): Afodu, O. J., Akinboye, O. E., Oyekale, O. O., Shobo, B. A., Awoyinka, R. I., Omotayo, P. M., and Ogunseitan, O. H.
Journal Name: (IJAEMD)
ABSTRACT
This study examined how poverty level and food security status influence coping strategies adopted by fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis) farmers in response to rising production costs in Ogun State, South-West Nigeria. A multistage random sampling procedure was used to select 240 vegetable farmers. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed with descriptive statistics, the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS), a relative poverty measure based on mean per capita household expenditure, and multinomial logistic regression. Results showed that 54.6% of respondents were female and 82.5% were classified as poor using the study poverty line of ₦26,500 per month. Food insecurity was widespread: 65.8% were mildly food insecure and 18.8% moderately food insecure. Mixed cropping was the most common coping strategy (50.5%), followed by use of credit (21.6%), no change in strategy (15.5%), and input reduction (12.4%). Poverty and food-security status were significant correlates of coping-strategy choice in the multinomial model. The findings indicate that economically vulnerable farmers have more limited capacity to adjust to rising production costs. Policies should improve access to affordable inputs, appropriate credit, farmer cooperatives, and extension support, prioritising poor and food-insecure vegetable farmers.
Keywords: Coping strategies; Fluted pumpkin; Food security; Poverty; Production cost