By Goodluck B Ikiebe
Over two thousand women farmers from six geo political zones in Nigeria have converged on Abuja for the Nigeria Women in Agriculture and Agric Business Convention.
The National Coordinator, Nigerian Women for Agricultural Progress, Omolora Svensson, stated at the Mariam Babangida centre that the aim of the convention was to empower female farmers, enhance food security and agricultural development in Nigeria.
She noted that women are the backbone of families and communities as they provide care, support and help in community building.
“Empowering women in agriculture is therefore critical in achieving sustainable development”.
Omolora Svensson explained that despite the effort of the female workforce in Agriculture across Nigeria, their contributions have not been met with adequate acknowledgement by the government.
The renowned female farmer however, called on government at all levels to increase the women access to resources like land, seedlings, machinery, grants, loans, fertilizers, pesticides and provide training for grassroot farmers.
She charged the female farmers to remain united, committed and to continue to voice out their challenges in their zones for government intervention.
Also speaking, the Coordinator North West, Asma Begum Mirza, said that
when women contribute to agriculture, the entire family benefits from the extra nutrition from their produce and by having another member providing income to earn cash.
She said that Lack of Infrastructure, agricultural inputs, poor access to financing, socio-economic factors, bad roads and insecurity are another major setback faced by women in agriculture.
Asma Mirza urged President Bola Tinubu to establish Agricultural Parks across states in Nigeria to boost food production and preservation.
In her remarks, the Coordinator South East, Oby Ugwu, said When it comes to agriculture, women are not only an integral part of the process but also a vital force behind its success.
She said in order for agriculture to progress and become more efficient we need more women to take part in it and to be empowered.
Our Correspondent reports that the highpoint of the event was exhibition of agricultural products and distribution of different seedlings to participants.
