Women farmers, under the auspices of All Farmers Association (AFAN), have called on President Bola Tinubu to support women farmers across the country to boost agriculture and ensure food security.
The women made the call on Thursday, January 25, 2024, in Abuja, during a news conference they titled: “Repositioning Women in Agriculture for Food Security and Empowerment.
Mrs. Enitan Onitiri, the National Women Leader of AFAN, said women farmers in Nigeria were ready to support and drive Tinubu’s food security agenda.
“We have strategically aligned our programmes and policies in achieving the set objective, which will not only make food available, affordable and accessible, but create jobs and reduce poverty among women and youths.
“The women in AFAN, in the 36 states of Nigeria and the FCT, are set to make history through our strategic business partnership with development partners, NGOs, private organisations, government agencies and well meaning individuals to improve Nigeria’s food chain,” she said.
Onitiri called on all women farmers in the country to form partnerships in the area of capacity building in Agricultural business, Agro export, Extension services, Agro produce market access, Exotic vegetables farming, Agro produce processing and packaging and farm machinery.
According to Mrs Omolara Svensson, Head, Women in Agriculture, AFAN,, Oyo State Chapter, Nigerian women constitute 70 to 80 per cent of the agricultural labour force, and also play pivotal roles in the food and agricultural value chain.
“The challenges we face are; accessing land, credit facilities, training, maintenance and modern farming technology to boost food production.
“Women’s empowerment in agriculture is not just about improving food production, but also addressing broader issues of gender equality and discrimination.
“Unfortunately, women still lack a voice in decision-making and policy matters,” she said.
Svensson called on the president to make access to funds and inputs easier for women farmers, by ensuring that agencies like Bank of Agriculture, Nigeria Agricultural Insurance Corporation, Central Bank of Nigeria and other International donour organisations, worked with AFAN women to provide the needed assistance to women.
According to her, Nigerian women farmers have been breaking their backs to produce food without any support from the government.
She said that the AFAN women chapter had been empowering women farmers through trainings on best agronomic practices and Agribusiness.
Amb. Zainab Mohammed, a social change advocate, called on Tinubu to address the issues of insecurity in the country, as women going to farms were often raped, kidnapped or killed across the country.
Mohammed, therefore, noted that the insecurity in the country was a major cause of food insecurity in the country.
According to her, to end food insecurity, government should ensure that the farms are safe for women and girls to go out and produce.
By Bukola Adewumi
