The Role of Agriculture in the Economic Empowerment of Women in the Ejisu Juaben Municipality in the Ashanti Region of Ghana

Abstract

Agriculture has been the main pillar of Ejisu Juaben Municipality’s development contributing to the development of industry and all other sectors of its economy. Women are the most important actors in food chain beginning from production, marketing and intra household distribution of food as well as other post harvest activities. Women therefore remain the centre-piece of food security in the Municipality.

This notwithstanding, women in agriculture in the Municipality has limited access to resources than their male counterparts. These are in the areas of access to credit, agricultural extension services, land, market among others. The Study found out that all these limit the women’s ability to increase their productivity and hence income. The Study therefore concludes that there is the need to reconsider issues of land tenure system, access to and control over productive resources such as credit and extension services. As these factors combine to either enhance and/or restrain their economic empowerment, the Study proposes that addressing such challenges will in the short to medium and long term improve upon their household, municipal and national food security.

Keywords: Agriculture, Empowerment, Women Empowerment, Women’s Economic Empowerment, Women in Agriculture