Gender components and aggregate food production nexus: A path way to attain food self-sufficiency in Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined the relationship between aggregate food production and contribution of gender variables (women) in Nigeria from 1980 to 2015. Bounds test (ARDL Model) was used to determine the level of co integrating relationships. Data for the study was sourced from National Bureau of statistics, Central bank of Nigeria and Food and Agricultural Organization database. Stationarity of the data was tested using ADF and KPSS unit root tests and variables were I(1) and I(0). Bounds test results indicated that there is a long run relationship between aggregate food production, percentage of women in agriculture, percentage of educated women in agriculture, women as head of household and weather. Positive relationship exists between aggregate food production and all the variables included in the model except women as head of household. To attain food self-sufficiency, the study suggests more productive resources to be given to women through gender responsive policies that will eliminate all kinds of bias with respect to asset acquisition, financial inclusion and education for women.