Abstract
This study evaluated the economic impact of the value chain development program (VCDP) on the food security of rice farmers in Nigeria. Data from primary sources were used. A multi-stage sampling technique was applied to select a total sample size of 292 rice farmers which comprises of 155 value chain development program beneficiaries and 137 non-beneficiaries. Data were analyzed using the following tools: descriptive statistics, food security index, Logit dichotomous regression model, F-Chow test, and t-test. About 61% and 27% of the beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries of the value chain development program were food secured based on head count ratio. The 2/3 MCFE for beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries were 13203.954 Naira and 4759.605 Naira respectively. The significant factors influencing food security among the rice VCDP beneficiaries were the following: gender (P< 0.10), household size (P< 0.01), farm experience (P< 0.10), access to credit (P< 0.05), and labour input (P< 0.10). The F-Chow test conducted reveals that the VCDP impacted positively on the food security of rice farmers. The study recommends that interest rate free loans or low-interest loans should be made available to rice farmers to increase production and food security.
Keywords: economic impact, food security, Value Chain Development Program, rice farmers, Niger State Nigeria