Assessment Of Food Security And Sustainable Development In Ikere Local Government Area, Ekiti State, Nigeria

This study evaluates the relationship between food security and sustainable development in Ikere Local Government Area (LGA), Ekiti State, Nigeria.Food security is a critical component of sustainable development, especially in areas where there are problems of poverty, environmental degradation, and lack of infrastructure.Premised on this background, the study examines factors influencing and enhancing food security in Ikere Local Government Area; investigates the major agricultural practices in Ikere Local Government Area.The study also explores the impacts of food security on human development in Ikere Local Government Area; and the impacts and effectiveness of government policies on food security, availability, affordability, accessibility and wholesomeness for consumption in Ikere Local Government Area.Furthermore, the study identifies the challenges confronting food security and proffers ways by which government can improve on food security in Ikere Local Government Area.In the same vein, the study discusses the nexus between food security and broader sustainable development goals, highlighting the importance of addressing underlying systemic issues to achieve long-term sustainability.Using a mixed-methods approach, data were collected through surveys, interviews, and observations to evaluate the current state of food security and its relationship with sustainable development in Ikere LGA.The findings revealed various factors influencing food security, including secure land tenure and access to land, favourable weather conditions, access to water for irrigation for farming during dry seasons, availability of fertilizers and modern farms equipments and implements, high agricultural production and sustainable farming practices, and adequate infrastructure, roads and transportations networks.The study therefore recommended the need for the establishment of Special Agricultural Zone (SAZ) in Ikere LGA, provision of access roads, creation of storage facilities, adequate support and guidance to the farmers and construction of small scale industries in the local government area.