Determinants of food loss and waste behaviour among farming households in southwestern Nigeria

Abstract

This study examines determinants of food loss and waste behaviour among farming households in western Nigeria. Stratified and systematic random sampling was used to select 300 cases of primary data collected in two periods of late and early rain, respectively. Data were analysed using the food loss and waste (FLW) index and simultaneous equation model. The FLW index was 0.48, with food loss at 0.18 and food waste at 0.3. The simultaneous regression results revealed the drivers of food loss/waste to be household size, education, dependency ratio and non-expenses on food. A 10% increase in food expenses enhances FLW by 0.89% for the food poor and by 0.49% in the moderately food non-poor. Transition households experiencing food security had a strong correlation with low FLW. As income generation declines over time, food-secure households experience an increase in food insecurity and FLW. Thus, we recommend a policy on FLW reduction and a more varied occupational structure that can add value to labour time for reasonable income support.