Women’s contribution towards household food security through non-farming activities in Magu district, Mwanza region, Tanzania.
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Date
2014
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
The study was conducted in Magu District in Mwanza Region. The overall objective was
to assess the contribution of non-farming activities to household food security. The study
aimed at identifying and characterizing various non-farming activities performed by
women in the study area, determining the extent to which income from non-farming
activities was used for food security, comparing food security status of households with
and without income from non-farming activities and assessing the contribution of other
factors on household food security. Cross sectional research design with structured
questionnaire was used to collect primary information from 120 respondents who were
randomly selected in four wards of Magu Town, Nyigogo, Kisesa and Kitongosima.
Secondary data were obtained from various reports and literature. Study findings showed
that many women were involved in petty and low growth business such as selling cooked
food, fislr/sardine, vegetables and fruits and other agricultural products. They were also
involved in tailoring activities, shops/kiosk, pottery making and selling of charcoal and
firewood. The involvement in petty business were justified by limited access to funds,
small amount of starting capital required and easy access to entry. About 91.7% of
women whose income was more than 200 OOOTsh were food secure. A Comparison on
food security between households with and without income from nonfarm confirms that
non-farming activities contribute to household food security. The study recommends that,
interventions that enhance non-farming activities with high growth need to be designed so
as to promote non-farming activities in rural areas.
Description
Master's Dissertation
Keywords
Household, Magu district, Food, Food security, Farming activities, TECHNOLOGY::Chemical engineering::Food technology, TECHNOLOGY::Chemical engineering