Journal of Global Ecology and Environment

Agricultural landuse change has become a major issue affecting food security in many rural communities in Nigeria, especially in areas where farming is the main source of livelihood. In Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State, increasing population growth, urban expansion, and conversion of farmland for settlement and infrastructural development have reduced the availability of arable land for food production, thereby contributing to household food insecurity. The study assessed effect of agricultural land use change on food security in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State. The researcher employed a survey research design combining quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. Multistage sampling technique was used where 360 farmers were sampled using simple random sampling technique from the twelve (12) council wards and sixty (60) kindred areas that make up Katsina-Ala Local Government Area.  The 360 farmers were interviewed with the help of research assistants using copies of semi-structured questionnaire to elicit information on the patterns of agricultural land use, factors responsible for changes in agricultural land use in the study area, effect of agricultural land use change on household food security. Data collected was analyzed using both descriptive statistics such as tables and simple percentages, while the t-test statistic was used to test the formulated hypothesis. The result indicated that increased agricultural activities coupled with other anthropogenic activities occasioned by increased population resulted in the changing agricultural land use. The result also revealed that the conversion of agricultural land for settlement and infrastructural development deprive farmers of arable land to cultivate, thereby reducing food crop production.   The result clearly showed that most households were food insecure. The study further proved that agricultural land use change has a significant impact on household food security in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area. It indicates that agricultural land use change greatly influences food production and availability in the study area. The study recommended among others sustainable land management, land use policy enforcement, balancing cash and food crops, provision of improved seeds, fertilizers, and affordable credit facilities, family planning and sustainable livelihoods, agricultural extension services and establishing community-based food reserves in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area.