SPATIAL ACCESSIBILITY TO RURAL MARKET CENTRES AND HOUSEHOLD FOOD SECURITY IN SOUTHERN CROSS RIVER STATE, NIGERIA 87 28
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.83374/jesber.vol1no2.111Keywords:
spatial accessibility, rural market centres, household food security, dietary diversity, food access, Southern Cross River StateAbstract
Spatial accessibility to food markets significantly impacts rural food systems, influencing households' access to sufficient and diverse foods. This study investigates the relationship between spatial accessibility to rural market centers and household food security in Southern Cross River State, Nigeria, comparing food-security outcomes across accessibility levels and assessing implications for food-access planning in Southern Cross River State. A cross-sectional survey was conducted from June to August 2024 involving 420 households from 25 rural communities. Data on proximity to market centers, Months of Adequate Household Food Provisioning (MAHFP), dietary diversity, and food expenditure were collected. Households were categorized by distance to the nearest market (10 km or more). Descriptive and comparative analyses assessed food-security outcomes across these categories. Pearson's chi-square test was used to assessed the relationship between household proximity to market centers and three food-security indicators. The findings indicated spatial differences in access to rural market centers. Households within 10 km exhibited better outcomes in food provisioning, dietary diversity, and food expenditure compared to those beyond 10 km. Additionally, there was an association between spatial accessibility and food-security outcomes, though the cross-sectional design limits causal inferences. The study emphasizes the need to integrate spatial accessibility into rural food-security planning. Enhancing connectivity, strengthening market infrastructure, and supporting agricultural livelihoods can reduce geographical barriers to food access in Southern Cross River State.Downloads
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