Global Advanced Research Journal of Agricultural Science (GARJAS) ISSN: 2315-5094

March 2015 Vol. 4(3): pp. 137-144

Copyright © 2015 Global Advanced Research Journals

Full Length Research Paper

The Role of Rural Women Farmers in Household Food Security in Cross River State, Nigeria

Camilus Bassey Ben.

Department of Vocational Education, University of Calabar, Nigeria

Email: camilusbassey@gmail.com; Tel: +2348034266227

Accepted 06 March, 2015

Abstract

This study was aimed at finding out the role of rural women farmers in household food security in Cross River State, Nigeria. Four research questions and four null hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. The target population for this study was 2,231 respondents comprising 2,021 rural women farmers and 210 agricultural extension agents. A total of 221 rural women farmers and 21 agricultural extension agents were selected using simple random sampling technique. Rural Women Farmers and Household Food Security Questionnaire (RWHFSQ) was structured instrument used to elicit the needed information from the respondents. The data collected were analyzed using mean and standard deviation statistics to answer the research questions and independent t-test statistical tool to test the null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance and 240 degree of freedom. From the analyses, it was found out that rural women farmers play important roles in household food security as food producers, keepers of traditional knowledge and preservers of agro-biodiversity, food processors, preparers and food providers for their families, thus, serving as key players in household food security. Based on the findings, it was recommended that rural women farmers should be effectively empowered towards resolving the problem of food security and economic development in Cross River State, Nigeria.

Keywords:  Rural women farmers, Household food security, Food availability, Food accessibility, Agro- biodiversity conservator.