The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to a more inclusive agricultural sector with the launch of the South-South Zonal Consultation on the Revised National Gender Policy in Agriculture and its Strategic Plan of Action.
Held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, the consultative forum is a collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) and ActionAid Nigeria, with support from development partners such as GIZ and AGRA.
The consultation aims to refine policy directions that will guide agricultural interventions from 2026 to 2030.
Director of the Special Duties Department at FMAFS, Hajiya Kachalla Zara Damaturu, who set the tone for the forum, stated that the ongoing consultation is crucial to ensuring a gender-responsive and equitable agricultural framework in Nigeria.
She emphasized that the outcomes of the discussions will inform the final review of the National Gender Policy in Agriculture.
“We gather today to build upon the momentum generated by the maiden review of the policy held on January 24, 2025, in Abuja. Our collective goal is to develop strategic plans that will guide actions and interventions from 2026 to 2030,” Damaturu said.
She commended the participation of stakeholders, including smallholder women farmers, youth groups, civil society organizations, government agencies, and persons with disabilities, and acknowledged the vital support of partners like ActionAid, GIZ, and AGRA.
Damaturu also noted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s strong interest in agricultural reforms that prioritize women, particularly in the areas of training, land access, and financial inclusion.
She referenced his remarks during a Women Affairs Ministry event in October 2024, where he reiterated the need to empower women in agriculture.
Providing an overview of the policy review process, National Consultant Barr. Nkiruka Stella Okonkwo explained that the consultation is based on data from a national survey distributed to stakeholders across various sectors.
She stressed that the process is designed to capture the specific needs of men, women, youth, and persons with disabilities engaged in agriculture.
“The South-South is our first stop in the zonal consultations. We’re committed to identifying barriers and proposing priority actions that reflect the unique socio-economic and cultural realities of the region,” she said.
Some of the key recommendations emerging from the zone include strengthening farmers’ organizations, improving rural infrastructure, enhancing disaster risk response, and promoting agritech and insurance schemes for farmers.
Okonkwo also highlighted the goal of achieving at least 25% representation for each stakeholder group in agricultural initiatives and budgeting processes.
She encouraged more participation in the ongoing national survey, which remains open until September, adding that the revised policy will eventually be presented to the Federal Executive Council and the National Council on Agriculture for validation and adoption.
Furthermore, the consultation featured breakout sessions and plenary discussions, offering stakeholders a platform to share experiences and propose actionable solutions to bridge gender gaps in Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
