NEXUS OF FINANCIAL INCLUSION AND FOOD SECURITY: EVIDENCE FROM CASSAVA FARMING HOUSEHOLDS IN NIGERIA

• C.O. Idiaye

  Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

  Author

• F. O. Yusufu

  Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

  Author

The paper analyzed the effect of financial inclusion on the food security of cassava farming households in Nigeria. Secondary data sourced from the fourth wave of the General Household Survey (2018/19) of the National Bureau of statistics was used for the study. Financial inclusion of cassava farming households was measured using a composite index of financial inclusion while food security was measured using the household dietary diversity score (HDDS). Majority of the households were food insecure and financially excluded. The results of the instrumental variable (IV) probit regression showed that financial inclusion had a positive and significant effect on food security as well as marital status, household size and extension access, implying that financially included households were more food secure than excluded households. It was recommended that policy makers and governments should improve the financial inclusion of cassava farming households especially those in the Northern regions where food insecurity is more prevalent. This can be done by introducing new financial inclusion-based programmes.

1. C.O. Idiaye, Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

   Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

2. F. O. Yusufu, Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

   Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

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