Women Farmers under the auspices of All Farmers Association, AFAN (Women chapter) have called on the Nigerian government to support women Farmers across the country to boost their agricultural activities thereby supporting the administration’s food security drive.
The women made the call while Addressing the media in Abuja, Nigeria’s Capital city with the Theme: Repositioning Women in Agriculture for Food Security and Empowerment.
Mrs. Enitan Onitiri, the National woman Leader of All Farmers Association of Nigeria AFAN, said Agricultural business is not just the business of Government but that of everyone.
“we have strategically align our programs 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”
Mrs. Onitiri said women Farmers in Nigeria are ready to support and drive Mr. President’s food security agenda.
“The women in AFAN in the whole 36 states of Nigeria and FCT are set to make history through our strategic business partnership with development partners, NGOs, private organizations, government agencies and well meaning individuals to improve food system in Nigeria”
She called on all women Farmers in the country to come together and work together in areas 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.
On her part the Head of Women in Agriculture, All Farmer’s Association, Oyo State Chapter South West Nigeria, Ms Omolara Svensson said Nigerian women, who constitute 70-80% of the agricultural labour force, play pivotal roles in the food and agricultural value chain, face challenges in accessing land, credit facilities, training, technology and more.
“Women’s empowerment in agriculture is not just about improving food production but also addressing broader issues of gender equality and discrimination. Women still lack a voice in decision-making and policy matters”
Ms. Svensson called on President Tinubu to make accessing funds and inputs easier for women Farmers by ensuring that agencies like the Bank of Agriculture, the Nigeria Agricultural Insurance Corporation, the Central Bank of Nigeria and other International donor organisations work with AFAN women Chapter to provide the needed assistance.
According to her, Nigerian women Farmers have been breaking their backs to produce food without needed support from the government as they’re not being carried along.
She noted that the AFAN women chapter has been empowering women Farmers through Trainings on best agronomic practices and Agribusiness.
On security, Ambassador Zainab Mohammed a social change advocate called on President Tinubu to address the issues of insecurity in the country as women who go to farm are being raped, Kidnapped or killed across the country.
She added that the insecurity in the country is a measure course of food insecurity in the country and to end food insecurity government should ensure the farms are safe for women and girls to go out and produce.
Oyenike Oyeniyi
