Emerging Roles of Women in the National Food Security Campaign of the Federal Government of Nigeria: A Review

The issue of food security in Nigeria is of national concern as it affects young and old, male and female. The review assessed the emerging roles of women and their contributions to food security in Nigeria. Specifically, it explained the concept of food security, identified the specific roles of women in food security and identified factors affecting women participation in national food security. Food security is a situation that exist when all people at all times, have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life. In Nigeria, the structural role of men and women in agricultural cycle reveal that women are more active specifically in processing and marketing of agricultural products. Factors affecting women participation in National Food Security includes inadequate supply of farm inputs, low level of education, poor extension services, low access to technology, training and infrastructure and low access to finance, communal or religious crisis. The review concluded that the potentials of women in food security is a pointer to providing adequate food for all household in Nigeria. It was recommended that women should be exposed to more training and better technology to be effective in supporting the food security campaign in Nigeria