TOWARDS AN UNDERSTANDING OF HOUSEHOLDS’ VULNERABILITY AMONG GROUNDNUT VALUE CHAIN ACTORS IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The Nigerian rural populace is largely excluded from decision-making processes, making them more vulnerable and at greater risk of being unable to establish sustainable livelihoods. Individuals classified as poor or near-poor are particularly susceptible to vulnerability due to limited access to assets and a reduced capacity to cope with risks. This empirical study aims to assess household vulnerability among actors in the groundnut value chain in Nigeria. Vulnerability is examined through the lenses of poverty, health, and access to resources. The study was conducted across the three agroecological zones of Nigeria using a field survey design and a multi-stage sampling procedure. A total of 1,302 farmers, 409 marketers, and 316 processors were surveyed. A significant majority of value chain actors were classified as non-poor. Among groundnut farmers in the Sahel, Sudan, and Guinea Savanna regions, 11.8%, 15.4%, and 18.6% respectively were classified as non-poor. Similarly, approximately 32.18%, 35.14%, and 38.61% of groundnut marketers in these regions were identified as non-poor. The results also revealed variations in healthcare utilisation and access to clean water among groundnut value chain actors. Furthermore, a significant proportion of these actors had calorie intakes below the recommended threshold, and the food consumption patterns indicated a diet predominantly composed of cereals. The study concludes that groundnut value chain actors experience varying degrees of vulnerability. Indicators such as income, healthcare access, water quality, and food resources across the three regions demonstrate that these actors are exposed to diverse levels of vulnerability. Targeted interventions are needed across all domains of vulnerability indicators to effectively address and reduce the risks faced by groundnut value chain actors in Nigeria.