Advances in Food Science and Technology

Advances in Food Science and Technology Vol. 1 (1), pp. 007-013, January, 2013. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

The most favorable food plan for rural households’ food security in Kwara State, Nigeria

Omotoshaw* and Runke Damibola

Department of Agricultural Economics and Farm Management, Ebonyi State University, P.M.B 053, Abakaliki, Nigeria.

Email:  [email protected].

Accepted 20 December, 2012

Abstract

This study developed optimal food consumption plan for the rural households in Kwara State, Nigeria. A two-stage simple random sampling technique was employed in collecting data used for the study between October, 2005 and January, 2007. The main tools of analysis used in this study are the Food Security Index and the Linear Goal Programming (LGP) Model. This study reveals that 65.45% of the rural households are food insecure. Rice, maize, cowpea, gari, fish and palm oil consumed at 4.17, 18.59, 2.92, 2.66, 8.53 and 3.10 Kg per week respectively constituted the least-cost food plan for the rural households. With an average household size of eight male adult equivalents, this plan has a cost implication of N 73.73 per person per day. This shows that the cost of meeting this least-cost food plan was 38% lower than the one U.S. Dollar World Bank poverty line per person per day. This study recommends the need for the rural households to be educated on the nutritional implication of the consumption of various food items.

Key words: Goal programming, optimal combination, food plan, rural households, food security, Kwara State, Nigeria.

Advances in Food Science and Technology Vol. 1 (1), pp. 001-006, January, 2013. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Food Evaluation and nutrient intake of beneficiary and non-beneficiary households in a dairy growth project of Vihiga District, Kenya

Kabatila O. Bedan

School of Public Health and Community Development and Administration

Africa Nazarene University, Ongata Rongai, Kenya. Kenya.

Email:[email protected].

Accepted 16 December, 2012

Abstract

A cross sectional design using a three-consecutive day 24 h diet recalls survey was adopted using interview schedules to estimate the nutrient consumption in 60 households of which 30 households were beneficiary and 30 were non-beneficiary households of a dairy development project in Vihiga, Kenya. Variation was observed in the consumption of meat and meat products, cereals and vegetables between days for households. Variation in the consumption of meat and meat products cereals, vegetables, and, milk and milk products between days for women was observed. Variations in nutrient intake were significant between days for energy, protein, calcium, thiamine and niacin in households and by women. Variations between households and between days with regard to food and nutrient intake observed indicate that a one-day twenty-four-hour diet recall method may not bring out the true pattern of food and nutrient intake of households and individuals. The twenty-four-hour recall diet survey method conducted for a period of days could show food and nutrient consumption pattern clearly from which average requirements for the population can be derived.

Key words: Dairy, beneficiary, non-beneficiary, nutrient consumption, Vihiga, Kenya.