EMPOWERING WOMEN THROUGH AGRIBUSINESS: A KEY TO REDUCING POVERTY AND FOOD INSECURITY IN NIGERIA
Abstract
Nigeria faces enormous food security challenges. This is as a result of high level of poverty in the country. Statistics reveal that about 70 percent of the population lives on less than US$1.25 a day, suffering hunger and poverty. Worst hit by hunger and food insecurity are women. Women make up about 50% of the population in Nigeria, majority who are poor and living in the rural areas. This paper asserts that any development process that does not consider the progress of half the population cannot address the problem of poverty and the crisis of sustainability. Currently, discussions in shifting from traditional forms of agriculture to agribusiness have increased. Missing from these discussions and decision points, however, is a commitment to women farmers and resources to strengthen their roles in the agricultural economy. It has been recognized that women help to hunger and food insecurity problems in many ways. To move forward, 1herefore; women must be recognized as key economic agents of change in rural communities who in their own right contribute to local, national and global food security and economic growth. This paper reviews the important roles women play in agribusiness development. For instance, in Nigeria women produce 60-80% of the agricultural food in the country and more than 60% of the agricultural production is carried out by women in the Nigerian traditional setting. The paper also highlights some challenges women experience in playing those roles. Such challenges include socio-cultural restrictions, poverty and lack of education. Some measures to mitigate those challenges were also suggested. This paper concludes that to significantly reduce poverty and food insecurity in Nigeria, new directions in development assistance' and agricultural investments must recognize and support women’s involvement in the full agricultural value chain from production to processing to marketing.
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