Empowerment Of Rural Women Farmers And Food Production In Esan West Local Government Area Of Edo State, Nigeria

Abstract

 Agriculture, when properly harnessed, can generate food security. The avenue through which the potentials of agriculture are unleashed to become beneficial to the wellbeing of the people is through food production (Bhargava, 2008; Ojo & Adebayo, 2012). Food production involves the entire circle of agriculture from land preparation, planting and weeding to processing, and serving of food. It is a task that culminates in food security for a nation. Food security refers to a condition where all people have physical and economic access to sufficient, nutritious and safe food for a healthy and active life (Food and Agricultural Organization, 2012b). Achieving this goal involves a broad range of issues: consumption patterns, control and mobility, land ownership, population growth, distribution of resources, development, trade relations, agricultural production, degradation of the environment, change in climate, economic status, access to credit facilities, and, access to healthcare services. These issues are central to women, yet women's role in food security has been relegated to the background in many contexts, hence the imperative to continue to call attention to women’s concerns (Boserup, 1970; Baklit, 1997; IFPRI, 2005a&b; IFAD, 2007; Iruonagbe, 2011; Nchuchuwe & Adejuwon, 2012; Moyo, Jha, & Yeros, 2013).