Minna:Women farmers in Niger, under the Small-Scale Women Farmers Organisation in Nigeria (SWOFON), have called on the state government to address pressing issues such as insecurity, inadequate funding, and the lack of gender-friendly machinery that hinder their agricultural productivity.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Mrs. Grace Disa, the Niger Coordinator of SWOFON, highlighted these challenges during a news conference in Minna as part of a state-level campaign titled ‘Accelerating Women Farmers’ Impact Towards Food Security’. The event was organized in collaboration with the International Budget Partnership and various civil society organizations.
Disa emphasized the pivotal role women farmers play in food production, processing, and marketing, as well as in ensuring household food security. However, she noted that their efforts are hampered by obstacles like the non-release of budgetary allocations. She urged for practical measures to improve their access to essential resources such as land, agricultural inputs, finance, mechanization, and markets.
Mrs. Hannah Omuya, the State Secretary, presented SWOFON’s policy brief, ‘Women Farmers’ Voice to Action’, and stressed the need for the inclusion of women farmers in the state’s annual agricultural budget. She advocated for clear allocations and mechanisms to ensure resources reach women farmers, along with the timely provision of fertilizers and seeds.
Omuya also called for affordable financing options that consider women’s limited collateral and seasonal income, alongside gender-friendly mechanization and market linkages. She urged for climate-smart agricultural support and stronger security measures to protect women farmers and their produce.
Dr. Matthew Ahmed, Permanent Secretary of the Niger State Ministry of Agriculture, acknowledged that women make up over 60 percent of the agricultural workforce. Represented by Alhaji Garba Maikasuwa, Ahmed affirmed the ministry’s commitment to addressing the challenges faced by women farmers in collaboration with SWOFON and other stakeholders. He noted that women receive 60 percent of the credit facility from the Agricultural Cooperatives Micro Credit Agency.
Mrs. Chinonso Aluma, a consultant with IBP, stated that SWOFON is transitioning from merely presenting demands to actively monitoring budget allocations and implementation. She pointed out that the agricultural budget allocation from 2021 to 2025 is below the Malabo Declaration benchmark.
Local farmers, Mrs. Comfort Makere and Mrs. Larai Yakubu, from Gurara and Paikoro Local Government Areas respectively, cited insecurity, illegal mining, and lack of capital as major challenges. They appealed for enhanced security measures, financial support, and women-friendly machinery to enable them to boost production.