The role of wild baobab in addressing food insecurity among indigenous people in Northwestern Nigeria

Abstract

Although wild tree species are frequently recognized as potential contributors to food and nutritional security, empirical studies documenting this relationship are lacking. This absence of empirical research neglects the significant role of provisioning ecosystems and indigenous knowledge systems in supporting these food chains. This study, therefore, analysed the role of Baobab, a wild tree species on food security among Hausa-Fulani households, the indigenous people of Jigawa and Kano States of North-western Nigeria. A farm household survey was conducted among 239 households. This study utilized a descriptive analysis to provide an initial overview, followed by a Tobit regression model to assess the relationship between baobab utilization and household food security, measured by the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS). The result shows that 21.34%, 74.06%, and 4.60% of the households were mildly food secured, food insecure, and moderately food insecure respectively. Baobab consumption and income from baobab trading were associated with food security. Thus, this study concludes that the baobab contributes directly (through consumption channel) and indirectly (through income channel) to reducing food insecurity in Jigawa and Kano States of Nigeria. Hence, efforts should be geared toward the domestication of baobabs to ensure the sustainability of the tree species. Also, it should be advocated that baobab parts be used as biofortification agents in nutritional programmes in Nigeria.