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Tag: women farmers

  • Group seek demand opportunities for women farmers

    Group seek demand opportunities for women farmers

    In the heart of Nigeria, where the economy is struggling and the environment is facing unprecedented challenges, a silent crisis is unfolding.

    Food insecurity, fueled by rising prices, climate change, and conflict, is disproportionately affecting women.

    Speaking at media engagement on strengthening women’s voices for food security in Nigeria, with topic, ‘The impact of food insecurity on women in Nigeria; A gendered lens on the food crisis’, Executive Director, Centre For Gender Economic in Africa (CGE Africa), Ms Uchenna Idoko, said women, who are the backbone of their families and communities, are shouldering the burden of feeding their loved ones despite the odds.

    She further explained that for many women in Nigeria, the day begins with a daunting task: finding food for their families.

    “With food prices skyrocketing and inflation at an all-time high, women are forced to skip meals so their children can eat. The strain is palpable, and the impact on their health and well-being is evident.

    “Climate change is further exacerbating the situation. Unpredictable rainfall and floods are destroying crops and farmland, leaving women farmers with limited options. Without access to climate information and early warning systems, they are unable to prepare for the disasters that are becoming increasingly frequent.

    “The lack of secure land rights and limited access to farm inputs, training, and financing are additional barriers that women face. With less than 20% of agricultural land owned by women, they are often at the mercy of male relatives and are vulnerable to displacement.

    “Conflict and insecurity are also taking a toll on women. Displacement and disruption of food systems are leaving them without livelihoods, and the risk of gender-based violence is ever-present,” she lamented.

    According to the group Executive Director, despite these challenges, women in Nigeria are resilient and determined.

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    “They are the caregivers, farmers, and entrepreneurs who keep their communities going. However, their contributions are often overlooked, and their voices are not heard in policy-making circles.

    “It’s time to change this narrative. The media plays a critical role in highlighting the plight of women in Nigeria and pushing for policy change. By amplifying their stories, exposing policy gaps, and mobilising public support, the media can be a powerful advocate for women’s rights.

    “The policy recommendations are clear: protect women’s land and property rights, target women farmers in climate adaptation programs, expand access to affordable food and farming inputs, include women in food security planning, and improve nutrition-sensitive social protection.

    “The story of Nigerian women is one of struggle, resilience, and determination. It’s a story that needs to be told, and it’s a story that demands action. We must act now to ensure that women in Nigeria have the support they need to feed their families, secure their livelihoods, and build a better future,” she stressed.

  • Researchers engage small scale women farmers on agricultural sustainability

    Researchers engage small scale women farmers on agricultural sustainability

    Research Institutes have engaged Small-Scale Women Farmers Organisation of Nigeria, SWFON to improve on agriculture by ensuring they adopt good farming practice across the country  through productivity, tackling of prevalent pests diseases across so many agricultural cross-value chains.

    The Lead director, Director Centre for Social Justice, CSJ, Eze Onyekwere assured that the research Institutes are working but what they do is not to the right channels in the agricultural sector, it is only when it gets there that they can adopt good farming practices across board.

    Onyekwere spoke at the national workshop on improving visibility and linkages between agricultural research, extension services and farming for sustainable food value chains in Abuja, with the theme, “Together we grow sustainable food systems for a resilient future” stating that it is the reason they decided to engage Small-Scale Women Farmers Organisation of Nigeria, SWFON.

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    He said, “We mapped out ten of these groups as well as the the critical research institutes. This is to bridge the gap between what the research institutes are doing and what the farmers are doing in the practical field. This is the reason for bringing in different farmers organisations,  the ministry of agriculture from three key states, Niger, Abua and Oyo state accompanied by research Institutes from these states.

    “Cassava alone can generate more revenue than oil in the country, Nigeria produces about 20% of the world cassava, I gave you an example of the value chain we all eat as gari, this is just one crop, we are not talking of other agricultural products yet. I want to emphasise that research Institutes are well funded, though the government can still do better.”

    Speaking, Honourable Kelechi Nworgu of the House Committee on Agriculture said this is a call to action noting that it is a time when farmers are struggling with low productivity and core financial systems, so there is a need for stakeholders to look into the activities of farmers so it can be upgraded.

  • AFAN hosts 2,000 women farmers across 57 Lagos councils

    AFAN hosts 2,000 women farmers across 57 Lagos councils

    The Lagos Chapter of Women in Agriculture, All Farmers’ Association of Nigeria (AFAN), has held its 2025 edition of Sustainable Agriculture Summit and Award Ceremony, a one-day programme organised to celebrate women farmers all over the state and discuss matters that concern them.

    Themed: “She Farms, She Cares. The Importance of Women in the Food Security Chain,” the summit garnered over 2,000 women farmers from across the 57 local governments in Lagos State.

    Speaking at the event, the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Mrs. Abisola Olusanya, assured the attendees of the government’s commitment to agricultural development.

    He said: “Through our five-year developmental roadmap, we are committed to achieving 40 per cent food self-sufficiency with targeted investment and initiatives that empower our farmers, especially women who are the backbone of our food systems.”

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    “We are investing in infrastructure, supporting agric businesses, fostering partnerships to generate billions of dollars of agricultural investment in the next years,” he said.

    AFAN Chairman, Otunba Femi Oke, called on youths to take up agriculture as a viable career path, citing opportunities for grants and growth.

    Deputy Chairman of the Association, Shakin Agbayewa, revealed that one of the major challenges farmers face is access to empowerment schemes, stating that collateral-free loans are also a major obstacle.

    The Women Leader of the association, Olayide Afolake, appealed to both the state and federal government for financial support and mechanized tools to ease farming operations.

  • Women farmers begin sales of affordable farm produce in Lagos

    Women farmers begin sales of affordable farm produce in Lagos

    The Great Brave Women Association, a subsidiary of Nigeria Women in Agriculture (NWIA), has launched the sale of affordable farm produce across local government areas in Lagos State to ease the burden of high food prices.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that on Sunday, hundreds of residents in Agbado-Okeodo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) benefitted from the initiative.

    Speaking at the council secretariat, the Executive Chairman of Agbado-Okeodo LCDA, David Famuyiwa, praised the initiative, saying it provides much-needed relief for residents amid economic challenges.

    According to Famuyiwa, market surveys conducted by the LCDA indicate that food prices at the sales venue are significantly lower than those in regular markets across Lagos State.

    “That’s why we are encouraging them and urging residents to come out to buy so as to benefit from the cheaper prices.

    “This is a laudable initiative, and majority of the residents have been buying and placing their orders here since morning.

    “Very soon, we are looking for ways to collaborate with the group to ensure it benefits more people in the communities. ”

    Mrs Yetunde Olaniyan, the Secretary, Women in Agriculture, Lagos state, in her remarks, thanked the council chairman for the leverage given to the group to showcase their products to residents.

    “We are all female farmers with different products for sales, Agbado-Okeodo LCDA will be our first council to showcase our products and the prices are cheaper .

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    “This project is to bring relief to the communities and bridge the gaps between producers and consumers to erase the third parties and intermediaries.

    “By so doing, if the consumers have direct access to the producers, prices of goods will definitely be low, we are not doing it because of profit but for relief to residents.

    “We came together to ensure the prices of the farm products are lower than what they can get in the markets, and at the same time, we are not running at a loss.

    “We are acting as a channel for farmers to have their products delivered to the consumers directly, and at the same time , make consumers have fresh contacts to get farm produce at reasonable prices,” she said.

    Olaniyan said the exercise is the pilot project that will ensure success of the initiative.

    Olabowale Kasunmu, the Community Development Committee (CDC) Chairman Agbado-Okeodo LCDA in his remarks, said it was a laudable initiative.

    He said the development would help residents to meet up their needs.

    Kasunmu said there are more ongoing sensitisations to enlighten residents about the development, hence ensuring that more residents enjoyed the gesture.

    “The reason behind this initiative is to bring succour to residents and also, necessary food items

    “We assure that the exercise will go a long way to helping people in the community, especially as the council chairman is planning to give 25 per cent discount on the produce for residents.

    Biola Raji, one of the beneficiaries, thanked the women farmers for giving them the opportunity to have direct purchase of the farm produce at low prices.

    Raji also thanked the council chairman for the opportunity given the group at the secretariat to showcase and sell their products to the community.

    It was gathered that various food items like garri, Yam flour, vegetable oil, palm oil, locally produced beverages, rice, beans, cat fish and goat meat and other household items were sold to residents.

  • Women farmers decry cut in 2025 agriculture budget, seek Tinubu’s intervention

    Women farmers decry cut in 2025 agriculture budget, seek Tinubu’s intervention

    Women farmers in Nigeria have raised concerns over the significant reduction in the 2025 budget allocation for the agricultural sector.

    Under the umbrella of the Small-scale Women Farmers Organization in Nigeria (SWOFON), they lamented that the proposed budget for agriculture has been slashed by 36.19%, dropping from N996.901 billion in 2024 to N633 billion in 2025.

    Speaking alongside the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), a non-state actor, the group warned that the country is in a precarious situation that demands increased investment in agriculture rather than budget cuts.

    They called on President Bola Tinubu to reconsider what they described as an insufficient allocation to the sector, stressing that it is critical to addressing food security and hunger in Nigeria.

    The women farmers also pointed out that the proposed N633 billion allocation accounts for just 1.28% of the over N53 trillion budget, a sharp decline from the 2.84% allocation in 2024.

    The group stressed: “You can’t be increasing the national budget and also be reducing the agricultural budget. And we are clamouring for security in the sector.

    “The government should give more money to agriculture to support farmers, especially women and small-scale farmers. “The government should also plan better to make sure that the agricultural sector plans are aligned with the National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy.”

    They urged that the government to declare a state of emergency in the agricultural sector, stressing that every government pronouncement or policy pronouncement also has economic implications.

    “We are calling on the government to declare a state of emergency and also that the allocation for the sector is poor.

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    “We are trying to draw their attention. We are not trying to put the blame on anybody but the necessary departments that are working on the budget should be able to draw the attention of the Federal Government and say that the allocation for this sector on key farmers that are practising in the field is unacceptable. And that is why we are here to say let them look at it the second time before they do the final passing, which there is still room for.

    “They called for 10% of the budget to be set aside for agriculture. These are what we are advocating for in accordance with the Maputo declaration.

    “So, against the 10%, we are not even moving close. We are moving far away from the 10% allocation that we want the president to even start, not to even talk about more.

    The group made the following demands from the government for the country to be able to address food insecurity and hunger in the country.

    “ There is a need to increase the budget allocation to the FMAFS in the 2025 budget of the federal government of Nigeria. This is necessary as funding gaps were observed in critical areas of investment, ranging from extension services and access to farm inputs to investment in smallholder women farmers, as well as in addressing the various aspects of climate change and agroecology that are affecting the optimal performance of the agricultural sector. The need for enhanced funding is also necessitated by the 1.28% of the total federal government budget committed to the sector against the 10% that is recommended by the Maputo Declaration. This will enhance the capacity of the ministry to coordinate and support actions to attain food and nutrition security in Nigeria. Engagement with subnational governments in this direction to shore up their funding efforts will also be essential.

    “Whereas every programme and project of the FMAFS should feed into the implementation of the NATIP, evidence from the projects and programme provided for in the 2025 budget proposal of the ministry shows only 34% alignment in this direction. “There is a need for the FMAFS to ensure that planning for the sector is anchored on the NATIP policy. This will ensure a strong plan-budget link that will deliver on the overall goal for the sector, including attaining the SDG 2.

    “Budgetary allocations should be increased and should go to strategic areas of investments which include Extension Services, Access to Credit, Women in Agriculture, Youth in Agriculture, Appropriate Labour-Saving Technologies, Inputs, Post-Harvest Losses Reduction Supports (processing facilities, storage facilities, trainings, market access, etc.), Irrigation, Climate Resilient Sustainable Agriculture (CRSA)/Agroecology, Research and Development, Monitoring and Evaluation, as well as Coordination.

    “The allocation to the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) should be increased as NADF is an important aspect of the NATIP and also vital for the overall development of the agricultural sector, but 97% of its capital should not be allocated for the Renewed Hope Fertilizer Support Program. Allocation for capital expenditure for NADF should be targeted to achieving the commitments in the President’s declared state of emergency on the food security situation in the country, therefore should focus on Extension Services, Access to Credit, Women in Agriculture, Youth in Agriculture, Appropriate Labour-Saving Technologies, Inputs, Post-Harvest Losses Reduction Supports (processing facilities, storage facilities, trainings, market access, etc.), Irrigation, Climate Resilient Sustainable Agriculture (CRSA)/Agroecology. It is also vital to ensure timely and total releases to the NADF.”

  • Women farmers seek help on input, others

    Women farmers seek help on input, others

    Women farmers, under All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), have called for support from the Federal Government and stakeholders in input distribution, access to credit and implementation of policies to promote gender-inclusive agricultural practices.

     National Leader,  Enitan Onitiri, who spoke at a news conference in Abuja, said women would work for Nigeria to be self-sufficient in food.

     Mrs. Onitiri called for collaboration with Federal Government and agricultural policymakers for sustainable farming and improved food security.

    She said Nigeria would fall short of food without support from the government. She also reiterated the need for access to land, seedlings, livestock feeds and fertiliser. 

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    Mrs. Onitiri said AFAN has aligned its programmes to making food available, affordable and accessible, as well as creating jobs and poverty reduction.

    She added:  “Agricultural business is not just the business of government but our business, and that is why when Mr. President declared an emergency on food security, we aligned our programmes in achieving the objectives…

    Special Assistant to AFAN Women Leader and Coordinator for women in agriculture in South, Omolara  Svensson, lamented that women farmers are not getting any support which discourages many from engaging in farming.

    She appealed to President Bola Tinubu to direct agencies to partner women farmers.

    “Grassroots women farmers  face challenges but can turn agriculture into gold with support from the government.”

  • Oyetola commends women farmers

    The Osun State First lady and President of the IleriOluwa Development Initiative (IOD-Initiative), Mrs. Kafayat Oyetola, has commended women in the state for embracing farming as vocation and profession.

    Speaking at the inauguration of the vegetable farming scheme in Osogbo, the state capital, she said the IOD-Initiative had come up with a programme of empowerment in agriculture because of women’s interest in farming.

    Oyetola, who was enthusiastic about women participation in agriculture and for embracing the IOD-Initiative empowerment scheme, said their response was an indication that “collectively we are ready to bring tangible and fundamental change to the living standard of our people in this state.”

    According to her, agricultural sector has always been the main pillar for sustenance of humanity in history.

    She said: “There used to be a time when our nation took the front position in this. It is commendable that we are beginning to witness an upsurge again. It is particularly gladdening that more and more women are embracing farming.

    Oyetola, who disclosed that the vegetable scheme was designed in three modules, said the first was about training, the second was distribution of seeds to women and the third was giving a revolving loan envelope, which, according to her, would boost production of agricultural products in the beneficiaries’ farms.

    The state governor, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola, described the scheme as a challenge for his administration to do more for women for their participation in agriculture.

    The governor implored the beneficiaries of the scheme to use the fund given to them judiciously and ensure they pay back in order to keep the scheme going stronger.

  • A case for women-farmers

    In Africa, especially in Nigeria, over 80 per cent of the agricultural produce comes through small-scale and subsistence farming. The farmers mostly comprise women in the rural areas. In Nigeria.Women make up the largest number of the workforce in the farm, engaging in agricultural activities that range from clearing and tilling of land, planting of seeds and weeding of unwanted crops, application of fertiliser and harvesting of crops, food processing of the agricultural products, transportation and marketing of agricultural products, as well as the breeding and management of livestock.

    The role of women in agricultural production can never be overemphasised. Various researches conducted on the contribution of women to agricultural development in Nigeria (Amali, 1988; Auta et al., 2000) suggest that women’s contribution to the farm work is as high as between 60 and 80 per cent of the total farm task performed.

    Despite the important role women play in agricultural production in the country, they are hardly given any attention by the government. Banks hardly grant them loans and they are hardly reached with improved seeds, fertiliser and other input (Saito and Spurling, 1992). Also, the women farmers have either no or minimal part in the decision-making process regarding agricultural development in the country.

    Gender inequality is still dominant in the agricultural sector and this constitutes an obstacle to development, calling for a review of government policies on agriculture to all the elements that place rural women farmers at a disadvantage.

    Michelle Bachelet, former President of Chile and ex-Executive Director of United Nations Women, said:“When women are empowered and can claim their rights and access to land, leadership, opportunities and choices, economies grow, food security is enhanced and prospects are improved for current and future generations.”

    The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that can be likened to be in favour of the agricultural sector include Goal 1 and 2, which are to bring down poverty and hunger. Therefore, to make these SDGs a reality, every measure must be put in place to achieve them. The agricultural sector plays a strategic role in the economic development of every country.

    It has already made significant contribution to economic development and growth of the advanced countries. It has also played a significant role in the economic prosperity of less developed countries. Agriculture helps to bring economic development in the following areas: By providing raw materials to the industrial sectors, by providing food to the people, providing shelter and much more. It has also been discovered that agriculture will help increase youth employment.

    But still, women are the major factor that practice agriculture and they are not included in the decision-making in the agricultural sector. This is mainly reason why most of agricultural policy of the country both at federal level and state level are not gender friendly.

    Organisations are now coming up to encourage gender equality in the decision and policy making of the state and these organisations include ONE, which is a campaigning and advocacy group of more than nine million members worldwide.

    ONE takes actions to end extreme poverty and preventable diseases, particularly in Africa. It believes that the fight against poverty isn’t about charity, but about justice and creating market opportunities for both genders. It’s high time our government knew that, by making life better for the masses is not charity but a responsibility to the citizens of the country they are representing in the public offices.

    To improve the agricultural sector of the economy, justice and equality has to be involved in the decision and policy making process. For women to cover the larger percentage of the gender involved in agricultural production, they also deserve to have voice, recognition and support.

    In conclusion, Babatunde Irukera, a Nigerian lawyer, said: “Women are as much nation builders as they are burden bearers. The tragedy of inequality in the world will remain a dark stain until we recognise and respect gender parity and women are no longer considered vulnerable, simply because of the gender.” Therefore, the gender gap that is existing in the agricultural sector should be closed, not only in the agricultural sector but in the policy and decision making process of the country.  Women play a significant role in the agricultural production in Nigeria; there is a high level of women participation and commitment in agricultural production.

    For extreme poverty to be eradicated in the country, agricultural sector needs to be revived by ensuring that justice and equality play a major role in making policies and providing support for farmers.

     

     

  • Osun Assembly promises law to help women farmers

    A bill supporting women farmers in Osun State is receiving the attention of the state House of Assembly. The bill sponsored by Women Advocate Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) is to make a separate budget for women farmers in the state. The Chairman, House Committee on Agriculture, Hon. Ibrahim Gbadebo, made the disclosure while addressing women delegations, including members of the WARDC, who paid a visit to the legislative chamber.

    According to Gbadebo, it was necessary to support women because of their social and economic roles in the society. Giving the assurance that debate on the bill would soon commence, the lawmaker commended the WARDC, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Strengthening Advocacy and Civil Engagement (SACE) for their intervention on issues affecting women, whom he described as vulnerable but active.

    The bill being supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Strengthening Advocacy and civil Engagement (SACE) is said to have reached the committee stage and would soon be debated upon by the state lawmakers. In her response, the WARDC Programme Officer, Miss. Lola Fademi, said if the government’s policy on diversification of the economy would succeed, women as a group must not be ignored.

     

  • Akeredolu’s wife seeks gender-friendly politics for women farmers

    Akeredolu’s wife seeks gender-friendly politics for women farmers

    The wife of Ondo State governor, Mrs Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, has been honoured as the Cluster Advocacy Change Champion.

    She got the award was at the inauguration of Agric Gender-friendly Policy Development Technical Working Group at the Winners Guest House in Akure, the state capital.

    Mrs Akeredolu said there were significant inequalities between women and men in many societies.

    The governor’s wife noted that though women make up about 75 per cent of the agriculture workforce, yet they were highly marginalised.

    According to her, some of the challenges women farmers face are consistent reduction in the budgetary allocation to the Agricultural sector in the last 7 years, non-capture of support for smallholder farmers as a line item in the Ministry of Agriculture’s budget, lack of state gender-friendly policies among others.

    Mrs Akeredolu hailed the present administration in Ondo State for identifying agriculture as one of its cardinal programmes for job creation and economic prosperity.

    She noted that the government had initiated strategic programmes, such as Agriculture Transformation Agenda (ATA) and Development and Policy Implementation Committee report, which is in line with the goals of Sustainable Development Goals towards eradicating poverty.

    The governor’s wife said the Agro-Women Initiative was the first time ever that a line item in the agriculture budget was dedicated to support smallholder farmers by the state government.