Abstract

Kwaku Dei ANTWI

Food insecurity has been found to be high among households headed by female farmers in the northern region of Ghana as a result of poor access to agricultural resources. One approach to improve food insecurity is through increased on-farm income of women farmers through profit maximization. Hence this study was designed to determine the optimal farm plan that increases on-farm income among women farmers to ensure improved food security. A sample of 512 women farmers were randomly selected using simple random sampling technique for the study. Structured questionnaire was used to collect the data and data analysis was done using descriptive statistics and linear programming model. The study revealed that available resources were not efficiently allocated under the existing farm plan which led to overallocation of capital and labor by 9.6% and 13% respectively. The study further showed a 13.6% increase in on-farm income by the optimal farm plan. Policy makers should develop and implement policies that emphasize and encourage optimal allocation of the limited resources available to women farmer to increase their income levels for improved food security.