Abstract

The study was designed to investigate the influence of three social practices (burial rites, alcohol consumption and polygyny) on food security in Benue State. A sample of 288 farmers from three agro-ecological zones was used. Findings showed that up to 80 percent of farmers were food insecure; 20.3 percent of polygynous families were food secure compared to 17.9 percent of monogamous families. Results also showed that 15 percent of alcohol consumers were food secure compared to 25 percent of abstainers. Results of Chi-square analysis indicated an 2insignificant relationship between burial rites and food security (?=0.477, df=1, p=0.309). The logistical regression analysis also confirmed this (p=.759, Exp [B] .861). The result also showed 2a significant relationship between alcohol consumptio n and food security (?= 3.939, df= 1, p=0.047). It was concluded that some social practices have the potential to promote food insecurity, and it was suggested among others that attitude and behaviour change programmes be initiated to discourage such practices.

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