Women farmers in Kwara State have been called upon to take advantage of various government agricultural programs aimed at helping them transition from small-scale to large-scale farming, contributing to the state’s efforts toward achieving food security.
This call was made during the 2024 World Food Day celebration organized by the Centre for Community Empowerment and Poverty Eradication (CCEPE) in collaboration with the Small-Scale Women Farmers Organisation in Nigeria (SWOFON) and the Kwara State Ministry of Agriculture. Themed “Rights to Food for a Better Life and Better Future,” the event highlighted the critical role of women in enhancing agricultural productivity.
In her address, the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs. Oloruntoyosi Thomas, acknowledged that while progress has been made, Nigeria and Kwara State are yet to achieve full food security. Represented by a director in the ministry, Mallam Aliyu Abubakar, she urged women farmers to tap into the numerous government programs available to them.
“These programs, if fully utilized, can support the transition from small-scale to large-scale farming. With active participation from women, we can work steadily towards food security,” he said.
Adding to the discussion, the State Coordinator of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ), Dr. Oluwatoyin Busari, noted that the government has set up Agriculture Transformation Centers in four strategic locations across the state. These centers are designed to serve as hubs for raw material production, which will be sent to the Agro-Industrial Hub in Malete for final processing.
He urged members of SWOFON to register at these centers to benefit from the program and help close the food production gap.
Dr. Khadijat Ahmed, Managing Director of the Kwara Agricultural Development Programme (ADP), reaffirmed ADP’s commitment to ensuring food security and sufficiency in the state.
Represented by Alhaji Aliyu Aiyelabegan, she stressed that ADP consistently provides women farmers with vital information, training, inputs, and modern technologies to enhance their productivity.
Speaking on the significance of the event, CCEPE Executive Director, Mr. Abdurrahman Ayuba, highlighted the importance of access to affordable and nutritious food as a fundamental human right.
He praised the government for its efforts in supporting the program and emphasized that food security is essential to ensuring a better life for all Nigerians.
SWOFON Coordinator, Mrs. Elizabeth Ndako, called for gender inclusivity in agricultural policy formulation, particularly concerning the needs of women farmers.
She also urged the government to address the security challenges affecting farming activities in the state and improve road infrastructure to facilitate the transport of farm produce. Additionally, she advocated for erosion control in Patigi Local Government Area and the promotion of irrigation systems for year-round farming.
In her remarks, Mrs. Titi Ade Salami emphasized the need for timely government intervention in providing modern farming equipment and training for women farmers. She also urged the government to introduce single-digit interest rates on agricultural loans to help women access necessary funding.
Further addressing the challenges faced by women farmers, Mrs. Sikirat Olohunoje, a cassava, sorghum, and maize farmer, called for the establishment of farm estates in each of Kwara State’s three senatorial districts to address the issue of limited farmland.
However, the State Coordinator of the Nigeria Women for Agriculture Progressive and Development Initiative, Memunat Iyabo Giwa, appealed for affordable access to farming machinery such as tractors, harvesters, and planters to help women farmers scale up their operations.
The event also featured a food exhibition, agricultural produce sales, and a plenary session aimed at tackling key challenges faced by women in the agricultural sector.