THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN ENSURING FOOD SECURITY IN KASENA NANKANI EAST MUNICIPALITY

Abstract

The rural sector in many developing countries is increasingly characterized by the prevalence of poverty and food insecurity (FAO, 1990b: 2) In a qualitative and quantitative study of 160 women, 57.3% reacted positively towards contribution in household food security in the Kasena-Nankana East Municipality. On the issue of women involvement in agricultural production, 84.4 percent representing 135 of the respondents stated they were into food production. 83.8% of the 84.4% indicated that they undertake crop farming which was consistent with the findings of Akpabio (2005). Out of the 160 women participarts, 81.25% mentioned that they cultivated groundnut. Also 75.63% indicated that they cultivated rice. The study further revealed that 76.25% and 65.63% of the respondents are into beans and maize production respectively. Only 20% were into other crops not stated. 82% were engaged in animal production. Respondents indicated that 43% engaged in food processing, 37% engaged in farm labour and 20% engaged in trading of farm produce. The main methods of processing of food crops were threshing, winnowing, milling and drying. The main constraint facing women in Kasena-Nankani Municipality towards achieving food security is the non inclusion of women in decision- making process, such as distribution of farm lands and the sale of family lands