EFFECT OF WOMEN PARTICIPATION IN AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES ON HOUSEHOLD FOOD SECURITY IN JOS NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Inadequate food is an impetus to food insecurity among households in Nigeria. Improvement in agricultural productivity is a prerequisite to increased rural household incomes and access to available food. Therefore this paper investigates the effect of women participation in agricultural activities on household food security in Jos North Local Government Area, Plateau State, Nigeria. Random sampling technique was used to select 144 respondents. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results revealed that the mean age of the respondents was 35 years with 86.8% had one form of formal education. Food wastage reduction and food preparation were the major household food security activities engaged by women. The PPMC result revealed that, there is a significant relationship between household size (r = 0.29, p<0.01), educational level (r = 0.164; p<0.05), with food security status of the respondents. Chi-square test also revealed that there is a significant relationship between food storage (χ² = 0.018, P = 0.05). The results of the Pearson Product Moment Correlation analysis revealed that there is a significant relationship between reduction of meal taken (r = 0.18; P< 0.05), withdrawal of funds from personal saving (0.28, P =0.05), borrowing of funds from friends and relatives (r = 0.17; P< 0.05). It is therefore, recommended that women marginalization be reduced and as well considers them in the provision of farm inputs especially with the growth enhancement scheme of e-wallet inputs distribution. The non-governmental organizations should as well be encouraged to engage in women empowerment programmes that will help in boosting their economic activities.