Assessment of Rural Women Agro Processing Activities in Improving Household Food Security in the Southern Guinea Savannah Agro-ecological Zone of Nigeria

Abstract

The study assessed rural women involved in agro-processing activities to improve household food security. Four hundred and twenty rural women, out of four hundred and sixty questionnaires distributed who were engaged in agro-processing activities served as respondents to this study. A well-structured questionnaire, was used in the collection of primary data. Secondary data were collected from journals and articles. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency and percentage as well as factor analysis. The hypothesis of the study was tested using Spearman Rank Correlation. This result revealed that Majority (72.17%) of the respondents were married. The major occupation among respondents was farming (71.30%). The household size of majority (52.17%) of the respondents was between 6 and 10, and 54.78% had a moderate level of involvement in agro processing activities. Respondents had level of food security (48.79%). The result of socioeconomic characteristics of the respondents revealed that involvement in agro processing activities enhanced the annual income of majority of the respondents. Transportation, capital availability, farm resources and source of information were major constraints. The study concluded that rural women, who were involved in agro processing activities improved the level of food security. The study recommends the provision of loan opportunities to farmers for agricultural process, proper distribution of capital, adequate reimbursement and monitoring for extension agents, creation of markets that are proximal to farm sites, provision of farm resources such as seeds, fertilizers, and processing equipment, with good medical centres made available.