Women farmers decry inadequate capacity building on agricultural production

Women Farmers in Bauchi State have decried the inadequate capacity building for women in agricultural production in the state.

The women spoke at a one-day stakeholders’ consultative meeting on 2014 Bauchi State Agricultural Budget in Bauchi state.

The meeting was organized by Fahimta Women and Youth Development Initiative , in collaboration with Small Scale Women’s Farmers Organization in Nigeria (SWOFON) Bauchi State Government with the Support of ActionAid Nigeria.

Mrs Tabawa Atiku, State Chairperson, Budget Committee Group on Public Finance and Agriculture, said there were inadequate initiatives and strategies for integrating women into agricultural programmes.

“Women farmers need continued capacity building in agricultural production and programmes to enable them to acquire farming skills. Empowering women farmers is by implication a solution to the food crisis facing the country.”

Atiku urged the government to provide training and retraining programmes, as well as agriculture input for women farmers.

“Women are key to the development of the state and the nation as a whole,” she said.

On her part, Hajiya Marka Abass, State Coordinator SWOFON, urged the government to assist women farmers in increasing agricultural produce, to tackle the food crisis in the state.

“Government should prioritize increased budgetary allocation to the agricultural sector to ensure increased food production and reduce hunger and poverty. As well provide adequate budget to support organic farming such as provision of eco-friendly inputs,’’ she said.

Also speaking, Mrs Dina Daniel, Executive Director, Fahimta Women and Youth Development Initiative, said the government should assist women farmers across the 20 local governments of the state.

She stressed the need for continuous training for women farmers on modern farming tools and best agricultural practices to improve productivity and fight the food crisis.

“Engage the women into mechanization and provide equipment such as planters and tractors, to enhance their agricultural production,” she said.

Daniel called for the inclusion of agriculture-based civil society organizations and women farmers in the agriculture budget planning and processes of the state.

NAN / Foluke Ibitomi