Some determinants of yam production and food security in Nigeria

Food insecurity is widespread in Sub-Saharan African countries. The contribution deals with some determinants seem to be influencing yam production and food security in Nigeria. Annual time series data spanning the period 1980-2011 is analyzed, using Johansen cointegration and OLS methods. The cointegration method indicates that the variables are cointegrated. It means that, there is a long run relationship between all the variables in the yam production model. In the same direction, the OLS method provides evidence that yam production is positively associated with most of the explanatory variables such as a producer price, fertilizer application, area harvested and RGDP per capita, statistically significant at 0.05 and 0.01 levels. On the contrary, the result indicates that the food import impacts negatively on yam production in the country, statistically significant at 0.01 level. Yam (food) production is an essential ingredient to food security (availability), especially to the poor rural dwellers in Nigeria. The crop is regarded as a major food crop in Nigeria, especially in the regions where it is cultivated. Due to inadequate farm inputs, lack of finance, technology and value addition and storage facilities, yam as major staple food in the producing areas and as a source of food security in the countryis not guaranteed. For yam crop to be sufficiently available (supply) to individual consumers and possibly at affordable prices, it should be produced in large quantities. There is an urgent need for the Nigerian government to provide a conducive environment and investment climate with the aim of increasing food availability by ensuring a sustainable yam production.