Journal of Food Processing & Technology

Developing community livelihoods: The case of women in cassava farming in the Kintampo North and South districts of Ghana

3^rd Global Food Security, Food Safety & Sustainability Conference

May 21-22, 2018 | New York, USA

Jones Lewis Arthur

University of Victoria, Canada

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Food Process Technol

Abstract:

This paper explores how community livelihoods can be improved through the contributions of incomes from women who engage in cassava farming in the Kintampo North and South districts of Ghana. The research design adopted a participatory approach involving the use of informant interviews, community survey, and analysis of key theoretical and empirical sources of data to assess respondents' responses to six key research questions. Data from the study was analyzed through the development of themes that explored the relationship between the research variables. Independent t-test and ANOVA scores were applied to test the relationship between the key variables identified in the research questions. The study found out that demographic background of respondents such as marital status has the potential to mediate the development of livelihoods for women engaged in cassava farming. Again, patterns of income from cassava do not significantly relate to the mode of marketing cassava products. In addition, families of 1-2 are better supported with additional sources of income such as petty trading and agro-processing but, worse for families with 5-6 dependents. Mixed method of processing cassava provides a higher range of incomes for women in cassava farming than mechanized and manual modes of processing. It is therefore important that plans and policies are implemented to support and build the capacities of women in cassava farming to improve the incomes that support their livelihoods. jonesarthur2002@yahoo.co.uk