EFFECT OF WATER SECURITY STATUS ON RURAL HOUSEHOLDS’ LIVELIHOOD SECURITY IN KWARA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study assessed the effect of water security status on rural households’ livelihood security in Kwara State, Nigeria. A total of 384 household heads were randomly selected from 24 villages in the study area. Binomial Logistic Regression, Water Security Index, and Household Livelihood Security Index were the tools used for the data analysis. The result revealed that 54.8% of the rural households were water secure, while 45.2% of them were water insecure. The result further showed that 59.3% of the rural households had low livelihood status, while the remaining 40.68% had high livelihood status. Binomial logistic regression revealed that were water security index, farming as primary occupation, amount of credit accessed and extension visits. The study concluded that water security had a positive effect on the livelihood security of rural households. It is therefore recommended that Kwara State government should increase efforts by providing appropriate funding to relevant agencies toward provision of potable water sources across the rural areas. Government through relevant agencies should sensitize rural households on the need to form cooperative societies in their community so that they can save, and also have access to credit for the expansion of business and thereby improve their livelihood.