Food Security, Income Per Capita and the Prevalence of Undernourishments in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)

Undernourishment is endemic in countries where both food deficiency and low income co-exist, and this is the bane of the countries in the sub-Saran African countries. In this present study, the focus is to examine whether food security and income level reduce the prevalence of undernourishments in the ECOWAS countries. This study used annual data series that covered the period from 2012 to 2020 and under the framework of panel random effect model. Results of the study revealed that while food access and per capita income had negative a n d s i g n i f i c a n t i m p a c t o n t h e p r e v a l e n c e o f undernourishments, the impact of food availability was negative but none-significant. Also, while food importation had a none-significant positive impact on the prevalence of undernourishments, the impact of food production index was negative but none-significant. Consequently, the study recommends that there is need for the governments in the ECOWAS countries to formulate policies to improve food production through incentivizing small-holder farmers. It is equally needful to address the issue of income inequality, while food importation should be limited to foods that have nutritional values and which can also be affordable.