THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN AGRO-PASTORAL HOUSEHOLD FOOD SECURITY: THE CASE OF THE TONO IRRIGATION PROJECT IN THE KASSENA NANKANA MUNICIPALITY, GHANA

Abstract

Women play a very vital role in household food security in most developing countries including Ghana. However, their contribution in this constrained by a number of socio-cultural and economic barriers. This study therefore seeks to assess women’s contribution to household food security and determine the barriers that are checking their optimum output in the Kassena-Nankana Municipality. Observations, focus group discussions, interviews, and questionnaires were used as primary data collection tools. Other relevant data from secondary sources such as documentaries from the Tono irrigation project, journals articles and books were used to gather historical information for the analysis. Purposive sampling was used to select 160 participants and respondents from 2049 women in six communities for the study. The findings of the study showed that 57.3% to contribute to household food security out of this 84.4% are into agricultural production. About 84% (83.8%) of the respondents indicated that they undertake crop production, with 81.25% of this cultivating groundnut. Also 75.63 indicated that they cultivate rice. The study further revealed that 76.25% and 65.63% of the respondents were into beans and maize production respectively. Only 20% were into other crops not stated. About 82% were engaged in animal production as well. Forty three percent (43%) were engaged in food processing, 37% in farm labour services and 20% in trading in farm produce. The constraints facing women were non- involvement of women in traditional rituals, none inclusion in community decision- making process. The contribution of women was however, significant achieving food security. About 93% were aware of government policies in place to enhance women participation in food security. Women farmers in the Municipality produce more than three-quarters of the District’s basic food, manage some two-thirds of marketing and at least one half the activities required for storing food and raising animals. Relevant bodies may therefore be encouraged to intensify advocacy in this regard