The Role of Rural Female Income Diversifying Associations for Household Food Security in Gondar Zuriya Woreda of North Gondar, North West Ethiopia

Attaining food security for rural households of Gondar Zuriya woreda is very difficult. Fulfilling basic inputs for crop production such as adequate fertilizer, improved seed, wide arable land, adequate oxen for plowing, and other cattle for harvesting and other purposes is almost a struggle. As a result, rural female income diversifying associations have become essential mechanisms performed to reduce food insecurity serving as additional source of income for households of the area’s rural kebeles. The study was conducted to identify the major rural female associations formed aiming household food security as well as women empowerment and to explore the changes brought as a result of founding such associations in the area. It was carried out in three rural kebeles (Das Dinzaz, Tsion Segowatch, and Tach Teda) of Gondar Zuriya woreda. Key informant interview is conducted with the association’s coordinators, secretaries, some other members and the head of the agriculture office in Maxegnit town. Besides, observation is used to fully capture the activities performed by these associations. The study reveals that rural female associations such as backyard sheep and goat breeding, apiculture, dairy farming, energy saving, poultry farming, etc. have played a great role serving as an additional means of making a living, which contribute a lot for household food security and women empowerment.