CHARACTERISTICS OF WOMEN FARMERS AND FOOD SECURITY IN GIREI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ADAMAWA STATE NIGERIA

Mahmood Hamid Umar

Department of Agricultural Education

Federal College Education, Yola, Nigeria

Email: mahmoodmambilla@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

This study examined the socio-economic characteristics of women farmers in Girei Local Government Area of Adamawa State, Nigeria and how these characteristics affect food security in the area. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain primary data from 200 women involved in agriculture or agricultural related activities from the area. The study revealed that women are more involved in agriculture than the male and the males have more access to factors of production, use of technology, extension services, and access to credit services, education and farm inputs than the female. These inequalities affect the production levels of the women in agriculture making farming business not profitable to them. A gross margin analysis revealed that average gross revenue per farmer is N7000.00. a cursory view at the literature revealed that in developing countries, women contribute significantly to agricultural production particularly in food production, processing and storage. It is however, uncovered that in spite of their enormous contributions to agricultural production, their work remains unrecognized, uncounted and unsupported. The research concluded by stating that for an assured food security in the area and Nigeria as a whole, those factors affecting the contribution of women farmers to agriculture must be addressed by or policy makers.