Tropentag, October 5 - 7, 2011 in Bonn "Development on the margin"

Do Women Remain a Key to Agricultural Production and Food Security in Sudan? The Case Study of North Kordofan State

¹King Saud University, College of Applied Medical Sciences, National Nutrition Policy Chair, Saudi Arabia
²University of Hohenheim, Institute of Agricultural Policy and Agricultural Markets, Germany
³Ministry of Agriculture and Forests, Food Security, Sudan

Abstract

Women represent half of the world population, and play a considerable role in both productive and reproductive activities in developing countries. However, their roles in agricultural production and food security are underestimated. Accordingly, this study aims at assessing the role of women in agricultural production and food security in North Kordofan state of Sudan. For the purpose of this study both primary and secondary data were used. The primary data were collected using structural questionnaire with 90 respondents, while secondary data were collected from different relevant sources. After data collection and clearing, descriptive statistics were employed as a method of analysis. The results revealed that women contribute 74 percent of the monthly agricultural income, 65 percent of the monthly household income, 62 of the total labour work for both food and cash crops and 65 percent of the household activities other than agriculture. Moreover, women work 45 percent greater than men, as they work for 14 hours per day while men work only for 8 hours. Women role in agricultural and food security should highly be acknowledged and their multiple roles in agricultural production, food security and house activities should fairly be accounted for in household and national statistics. Moreover, removal of the main obstacles facing women, such as lack of access to agricultural resources and services, is crucial. This can be achieved by reviewing and re-orienting government policies. Accordingly, women income will increase, their contribution to agricultural production will expand and their household's lives will improve and hence household food security will be realised.

Keywords: Food security, Kordofan, Sudan, women

Contact Address: Adam Elhag Ahmed Yassin, King Saud University, College of Applied Medical Sciences, National Nutrition Policy Chair, 11433 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, e-mail: adamelhag2002yahoo.com