Abstract

Rural women have traditionally played a vital role in promoting agricultural development, food security and livelihoods. Their contributions are likely constrained by inequalities in access to and control of vital resources and inputs such as land, finance, and agricultural inputs, modern agricultural techniques, marketing, and training and extension services. that characterize most rural areas in developing countries. This work was done in the village of Mbam in Nkum-department of the North-West region.

Ngendzen Mbam is located in the Nkum department and is located between 10,400 and 10,500 longitude E of the meridian of Greenwich and latitude 6,1006,200 N and north of the equator. Ngendzen Mbam is bounded to the north by Tatum village, to the east by Ndu Tea Estate, to the west by Kitiwum village and to the south village by Mbiame with an estimated population of around 2500 people. Primary and secondary data sources were used in data collection.

Primary data was obtained through interviews with rural farmers, and with chairpersons of registered Common Initiative Groups (CIGs) in Ngendzen Mbam. Secondary data was review of textbooks, journals, previous reports on published articles pertaining to this topic. Internet sources were used. The results revealed that 75% of the women were in agriculture only while 25% of them were in both agriculture and small business. In addition, 72.3% were both animal and vegetable cultivation as a means of subsistence and source of income.

While 26.7% among farmers relied solely on agricultural production as a means of livelihood and source of income. Most of the respondents face problems and challenges in their various activities. 86.5% of respondents faced difficulties in farming, had problems from farm to market road and lack of fertilizer, while 20% of farmers had difficulties in farming. Five percent of famers farmers had problem with enough land. In conclusion, the various means by which women in Ngenzden Mbam contributed to livelihoods and food security includes crops, livestock and small scale enterprises. The income from agricultural products such as corn, beans, and potatoes has had a positive impact in their lives as it has helped them buy other food items such as rice and basic needs. It is recommended that the Council should encourage young people to participate in agriculture.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Rural women traditionally have played a vital role in promoting agricultural development, food security, and livelihood. This is reflected in the wide range of income-generating activities and food production (post-harvesting, cow fattening and milking, goat farming, backyard poultry rearing, agriculture, horticulture, food processing, cane and bamboo works, silk reeling, handloom weaving, garment making, fishnet making, coir production, and handicrafts amongst others) that they carry out. A significant number of rural women, particularly from extremely poor landless households, also engage in paid labour in construction, earthwork, and field-based agricultural work, activities that traditionally have fallen within the male domain

According to the 2007 United States Census of Agriculture, women have a growing presence in the United States (U.S.) agricultural sector, as women are running more farms and ranches, operating more land, and producing a greater value of agricultural products than they were in the previous years (U.S. Department of Agriculture, 2007) .Rural women throughout Asia and the Pacific region make critical contributions to household production and consequently to household and national food security. Although the specific nature of their contribution varies among the various Asian and Pacific countries, clearly, the majority of rural women take on an increasing share of household labour and their lives are characterized by mounting drudgery Food an Agricultural Organization (FOA, 2005).

In Pakistan, women are key players in the agriculture sector, which employs almost 12 million women in the production of crops, vegetables, and livestock. The cotton crop, accounting for half of national export earnings, depends heavily on female labour. Women have the exclusive responsibility for cotton picking, exposing themselves in the process to health hazards emanating from the intensive use of pesticides (Bari, 2000)

Access to food is a basic need for human beings; however, many poor people do not have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food (McMichael, 2009). There are several factors related with the condition of food insecurity such as loss of job, lower level of education and employment, lack of access to land, single-parent families, unstable income level, and having a poor family head. All these factors lead to the condition of poverty and the fundamental outcome is inadequate access to food (FAO, 2008)

About 79% of women in developing countries depend on natural resources and agriculture for their livelihoods, and, on average, comprise 43% of the agricultural labour force in developing countries. In Africa 80% of the agricultural production comes from small farmers, who are mostly rural women (Saquina, 2015) Yet, because of cultural attitudes, discrimination and a lack of recognition for their role in food production, women have a reduced access to productive resources. In sub-Saharan Africa, only 15% of landholders are women and they receive less than 10% of credit and 7% of extension services. As a result, their productivity lags behind, negatively affecting their livelihoods and that of their families. (Robynne 2012).

In general, rural women’s work patterns are marked by change and continuity as well as flexibility and rigidity (Gurun, 1999). Women taking on new roles in farm production, off-farm production and community production to ensure the family’s access to food and household resources characterize change and flexibility. Detailed time allocation studies in Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, and Central African Republic indicate that activities such as routine food processing, collection of water and fuel, and domestic activities take up about half of the 8 to 10 hours of their average daily workload (Kumar, 1928).

The World Bank (2000) reported that about 290 million Africans survive on less than US$1 per day with Sub- Sahara Africa being the most affected region. Most countries in this region are on the drive of finding ways to improve food production. According to Obasanjo (2002), food security is the first step in poverty eradication. Tansa (1996) argues that in Africa, low-income households spend up to 90% of their income on food

In Cameroon like the world at large, the contributions of rural women to livelihood and food security is unquestionable. It is estimated that rural women supply about 90% of the food needed for the subsistence of the population. Women also participate to a lesser extent in the cash crop sector. Fact sheet: Cameroon – Women, agriculture and rural development (1992).Rural women contribute to the livelihood and food security, they bear a greater tasks, including food processing and the collection of fuel wood and water

Mbam is a small village in kum subdivision of the North West region. Ngendzen Mbam is located in the Nkum Sub-Division, Bui Division of the North West Region. Nkum Subdivision lies between longitude 10.400 and 10.500 E of the Greenwich meridian and latitude 6.100 N and

6.200 North of the Equator. Ngendzen Mbam is bounded to the North by Tatum village, to the East by Ndu Tea Estate, to the West by  the Kitiwum village and to the South by Mbiame village with an estimated population of about 2500 people. (Nkum council). The main economic activity of the locality is agriculture and small business such as selling of corn beer, food processing etc. About 80% of the women in this locality are involved in agriculture.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

In Ngendzen Mbam village, rural women represent approximately 43 per cent of the agricultural labour force. The income they generate from natural resources and agricultural activities goes a long way to improve on their livelihoods and that of their families. However, women have a greater potential to contribute to food security and livelihoods than they do presently. Their contributions are probably constraint by inequalities in access to and control over crucial resources and inputs such as land, finance, agricultural inputs, modern agricultural techniques of cultivation and technology marketing as well as training and extension services which characterized most rural areas in developing countries.

Furthermore, the participation of women in decision making which has a bearing on improving their contribution to food security and livelihoods is often absent. Unequal access to inputs reduces yields and hinders agricultural productivity, which negatively affects the economy & food security at the local and national level. Ensuring rural women’s access to productive agricultural resources empowers women and contributes to decreasing world hunger and poverty. In a similar manner, in most areas just as in Ndendzen Mbam the absence of industries negates optimal contributions of women Thus, it is important that their contributions be realized and up

1.3 Objective of the study

1.3.1 Main objective

To examine the agricultural contribution of the rural women to livelihood and food security through agriculture in Ngendzen Mbam village of Nkum Sub-Division of Cameroon.

1.3.2 Specific objective

1. To examine the various ways through which rural woman contribute to livelihood and food security through agriculture.
2. To assess the socioeconomic implication of the contribution of women to food security and livelihood in the Ngendzen Mbam village of Nkum Sub-Division of Cameroon
3. To examine the barriers to the effective contribution of women to food security and livelihood in Ngendzen Mbam village of Nkum Sub-Division of Cameroon.

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