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ABSTRACT
The study evaluates impact of agroforestry on food security in Esan Central Local Government Area, Edo State. Based on 5% sampling intensity, 6 communities/villages were randomly selected from 110 communities/villages that made Esan Central L.G.A. Using a proportionate sampling method, 100 agroforestry farmers were randomly selected in the 6 communities/villages. Data were collected through primary and secondary sources. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics of frequency and percentages summarized in tables and charts and inferential statistics with the use of analysis of variance (ANOVA) at 5% level of significance. Ducan multiple range test were used to separate the means of variables that were significant at 5% level of significance. The results showed that there was significant difference (P<0.05) among the various locations of the respondents farm land. Within community land differ significantly (P<0.05) from every other locations under review. The results showed that majority (55%) of the respondents affirmed that their farm size ranges from 1-3 hectares. While 33 and 12% of the respondents had less than 1 hectares and above 3 hectares respectively. The results showed that 68% of the agroforestry farmers deposed for food secured, while 32% was of the opinion for food insecured. The results revealed that 100% of the respondents affirmed that adoption of agroforestry practices have contributed to their household source of home nutrition, 95% of the respondents also stated that they afford to eat balance meal with income from agroforestry practices, 94% claimed they can afford to eat three square meal a day. The results showed that cassava (30%) was the most common arable crop cultivated in agroforestry plots in the study area. This was closely followed by maize (25%), yam and vegetables, (15% each). It was concluded that majority of agroforestry farmers in the study area are food secure as they can afford to meet the daily food requirement of their households. Also result showed that respondents have high access to various food categories in the study area. Despite the benefits of agroforestry the farmers were constrained by inadequate capital and poor access to credit.
