May – June 2020 ISSN: 0193-4120 Page No. 11969 - 11986 11969 Published by: The Mattingley Publishing Co., Inc. Production Innovation and Food Security in South Eastern Nigeria 1 EZEH, Sylvester I. M, 2 OGBO, Ann Ifechukwudebelu, 3 MBAH, Paulinus Chigozie*, 4 DIELE, Francis Chimezie Okwudiri, 5 IWU, Francis 1,2 Department of Management,Faculty of Business Administration,University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus 3,4,5 Department of Business Administration,Faculty of Management Sciences,Enugu State University of Science and Technology,Nigeria. Article Info Volume 83 Page Number: 11969 - 11986 Publication Issue: May-June 2020 Article History Article Received: 19 November 2019 Revised: 27January 2020 Accepted: 24 February 2020 Publication: 19 May 2020 Abstract Expansion of food supply apparently offers the opportunity of increasing nutrition, health, wellness and stampeding hunger. This study offers the insight on ensuring food security through production innovation using South Eastern Nigeria as a case study. The population of this study was quoted food manufacturing firms in South-Eastern Nigeria which are members of the Manufacturing Association of Nigeria (MAN). It also included non registered members of MAN whose amount of capital exceeded Ten million Naira. The sample size consists of five hundred and forty two respondents. The responses from the participants were measured using 5-liket scale and Cronbah’s Alpha was used in determining the extent of consistency of the reliability. The hypothesis was tested using multiple regression analysis of the Ordinary Least Square technique. The results showed that production innovation as shown by the statistics have significantly and positively influenced the level of food security hence production innovation is imperative to keep food supply afloat. Keywords; Production innovation; Food security; Nutrition; Hunger; Manufacturing firms I. INTRODUCTION Persistent competitions in the present day business environment appear to place firm(s) and industries on constant challenges of seeking innovative means to ensure efficient production in order to maximize market opportunities. This becomes imperative as product variations multiplies to accommodate the societal needs, as noted by Ong, Yaun and Nee (2008) since products are becoming more versatile, inherently complicated, and intricate. Production innovation is referred to as a concept relating ongoing restructuring processes and a core- organizational culture in itself. It entails transformation of products through enhanced production process from common trends to continuous improvement in order to retain and widen competitive advantages. Furthermore, it involves constant monitoring and evaluation of the advances in research and technology advancement in the areas of production management system and related technology and working methods. The adopted working methods are expected to bring about significant improvements in technical specifications, components and materials, healthy customer relationship and other functional characteristics. Production innovation implies to develop new or improve existing production competences in firms based on the convergence of appropriate readiness levels of technology, workforce skills and knowledge, and financial resources to invest. Twenty-first century is widely accepted as the