Assessing the Roles of Women in Smallholder Food Production in Edo State, Nigeria

This study investigates the critical role played by women in smallholder food production enhanced food security in Esan Central and Igueben Local government area of Edo State, Nigeria. Women constitute a significant proportion of the agricultural labour force and also plays a vital responsibility in ensuring food availability, accessibility and utilization within their various communities. However, their contributions are often overlooked and undervalued in policy frameworks and development interventions. The research employs a mixed methods approach, combining qualitative survey like, focus group discussions (FGD) and quantitative surveys to assess the diverse roles women play in smallholder farming and food production. A purposive sampling technique was adopted. Data were collected from women farmers, and community leaders,. Data on; socio- economic characteristics of women farmers, the role they played in local food production and the challenges faced by them Findings from this study revealed that women in the study area played a significant role in smallholder farming such as planting, harvesting and processing of the farm produce into consumable forms which has been contributing immensely to household food availability and income generation. They are involved in the various agri-food systems activities like crop cultivation, livestock rearing, fisheries and agro- processing, utilizing traditional knowledge and modern agricultural practices. However, women encounter numerous challenges, including limited access to land, credit inputs, technology extension services and market as well as cultural and gender-based barriers. The study recommends that targeted training and resources should be provided to enhance women's capacity in agricultural productivity, focusing on areas such as modern farming techniques, financial management, and marketing strategies.