Women, Agriculture, and Food Security in the Caribbean

Abstract

Sustainable food security in the Caribbean requires the effective participation of women in food production. This is significant in the context of the dimensions of availability, access, and supply of nutritious foods and the implications for the overall household food security. There are many commercial female farmers in the Caribbean, but women are mainly involved in the marketing and distribution of food as they make up a disproportionate amount of sellers in the local produce markets across the region. The strategic participation of women in food production could be effective for addressing food security and nutrition at the household level. The aim would be to increase supplies of nutritious foods for their households. Women should also receive training in food handling and preparation to maximize the nutritional value of their families’ meals. A recent project by the International Development Research Center (IDRC) in Lebanon speaks to the importance of women in food security and nutrition (Boothroyd, 2010).