The Role of Rural Women in improving households Nutritional Status and Food Security through Traditional Production System in Sudan

This study was conducted to investigate the role of rural women in improving household nutritional status and food security, through raising of family poultry; case study of Eastern Nile- Sudan. The main concept of this study is that family poultry form the basis for increasing food production and income in rural communities. The questionnaire was considered to be the main measuring instrument for data collection, two hundred and fifty two households were selected through systematic sampling and interviewed (From six villages in the area under study). Face to face method was, used, where an immediate feed- back was received. The obtained data were subjected to analysis, through the statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). The study revealed that although family poultry is carried out with the minimal agricultural, veterinary, extension, training and marketing support. But, still it positively contributes in the improvement of the household nutritional status, income and food security. The study concluded that, improvement in housing, feeding, and diseases control, coupled by institutional support in the dissemination of information, capacity building training programs in poultry husbandry practices, veterinary, extension, and financial services, will ultimately enhance better production. In addition formation of women group can facilitate access to inputs and marketing services.