Food Security Outcomes and Their Drivers among Participating and Non-Participating Households in Integrated Rice–Fish Farming Systems in Nigeria

This study examines household food security outcomes and their drivers among farmers participating in integrated rice–fish farming systems and those not participating in Nigeria. Data were collected from 458 rural households (178 participants and 280 non-participants) across Ebonyi and Kebbi States using a multistage sampling approach. Food security status was assessed using the Foster–Greer–Thorbecke (FGT) food insecurity indices, and an ordered probit model was used to identify key determinants of food security. Results show that participating households had lower incidences (41.6%), depths (13.9%), and severities (7.0%) of food insecurity than non-participating households (44.1%, 16.3%, and 7.9%, respectively). Participation was associated with higher food expenditure thresholds, reflecting improved dietary quality and welfare. Access to credit, extension services, agricultural training, cooperative membership, household size, age, and mobile phone ownership significantly influenced food security outcomes. Despite persistent food insecurity across both groups, integrated rice–fish farming contributed to improved resilience and reduced vulnerability. The findings underscore the potential of integrated rice–fish systems as a sustainable pathway to enhance household food security and inform policies to scale up adoption across diverse agro-ecological settings in Nigeria.