AN EVALUATION OF THE CONTRIBUTION OF RURAL WOMEN COOPERATIVE SOCIETIES TO FOOD SECURITY THROUGH SEED SYSTEM IN MOKWA, PAIKORO AND WUSHISHI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS OF NIGER STATE

Abstract

Rural women in Niger State, Nigeria, are the backbone of local agricultural production and play a pivotal but underrecognise role in ensuring food security. Addressing food security challenges is linked to supporting and empowering these women. Thus, this study evaluates the contribution of rural women in food security. The study is supported by ecofeminism theory. The survey design was adopted and data were collected from 343 rural women cooperative societies in the Makwa, Paikoro and Wushishi local government areas using adopted structured questionnaire. Results using multiple regression analysis established that seed availability and quality are not only important but are insufficient to drive substantial improvements in household food security. The study recommends that seed system interventions should be integrated with complementary agricultural support such as access to fertilizers, storage facilities, and extension services to enhance their overall impact on food security.