Enhancing Food Security through Gender-Responsive Agricultural Policies and Aquaculture Program

This chapter presents an empirical assessment of food security, gender inequality and aquaculture programme delivery in Ondo State, Nigeria. Using survey data from 213 farmers, the study examines how household characteristics, climate shocks, access to productive resources, adaptation practices and institutional support influence food-security outcomes. The findings indicate that food insecurity affects both male- and female-headed households, but female-headed households experience greater vulnerability because of unequal access to land, finance, extension support, water resources and adaptive capacity. Household size, education, farming experience and climate-related shocks are identified as important influences on food security. The chapter also examines adaptation measures such as water management, stocking strategies and information access, while showing that limited credit, weak extension systems and inadequate institutional coordination reduce their effectiveness. It argues that aquaculture programmes must go beyond technical production support and incorporate women’s specific needs across the value chain. The chapter recommends gender-responsive agricultural policies, women-focused financial products, improved land and water access, targeted extension services, capacity building, climate-resilience training and stronger programme coordination. It concludes that equitable aquaculture and agricultural development can improve food security only when women are recognised as producers, decision-makers and beneficiaries.