CONSTRAINTS TO WOMEN'S PRODUCTION OF FOOD CROPS: IMPLICATIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE FOOD SECURITY IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Sustainable food security demands that constraints to increased food production be eliminated. Women who play a dominant role in food crop production will increase their capacity if constraints to the crop production arc eliminated. This study thus aimed at
identifying existing constraints that limit women's productivity in agriculture. The study was carried out in Umunkwo, Isiala-Mbano Local Government Area, of lmo state. Stratified random sampling was used to select 480 respondents. Data collected using questionnaires were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square test. Results show that gender disparity associated with land tenure system limits the size of land available. to women for agricultural production. The small farm size in turn limits the level of technology adopted by women which in turn reduces productivity. It was recommended among others the liberation and effective implementation of the 1990 Land Use Act  as amended in 2010 to provide adequate land for female farmers.