Abstract
<title>Abstract</title> <p>Globally, to meet the growing food demands of a burgeoning population, especially in Africa, agrochemicals intensification—fertilisers, herbicides, fungicides, and pesticides—is key in modern agricultural practices. However, agrochemical use and farmer household food security are understudied. Therefore, this study seeks to: (1) identify the agrochemical types farmers use, (2) examine agrochemical use and farmer households' food security, and (3) identify the key socio-economic factors influencing this relationship. From a quantitative viewpoint, a cross‑sectional survey of 382 farmer households was adopted using a structured questionnaire. Logistic regression from the R software was performed to identify the key predictors of food security. From the study, farmer household-level predictors of food security and agrochemicals use are income, household size, and education. Households with lower income levels were more vulnerable to food shortages, larger households faced a higher probability of food insecurity due to increased consumption demands, and households led by individuals with formal education were less likely to experience food shortages, mainly due to better knowledge of farm management, agrochemical application, and income diversification. In conclusion, income, household size, and education significantly influence agrochemical use and household food security. The Ministry of Food and Agriculture policies should promote farmer education, income diversification, and targeted support for low-income and large households. Strengthening extension services and capacity building can improve agrochemical management, enhance productivity, and reduce food insecurity among vulnerable farming households.</p>