The Smallholders Women Farmers Organisation in Nigeria (SWOFON) Gombe Chapter, has urged the state government to increase its allocation to agriculture in line with the Malabo and Maputo declarations.
The call was made during a consultative meeting on the 2025 agricultural budget, held in collaboration with Hope Foundation for the Lonely and supported by ActionAid Nigeria.
SWOFON’s spokesperson, Airudia Mamman, read a communiqué demanding that Gombe State allocate at least 10% of its annual budget to the agricultural sector. This aligns with the recommendations of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), which stipulates a minimum of 10% investment to achieve a 6% growth rate in the sector.
Mamman criticized the inconsistent allocation to agriculture in the state’s budget, stating that it does not reflect the sector’s role in driving the economy and creating jobs. She stressed the need for increased public investment to ensure food security and poverty reduction.
“This instability undermines the importance of agriculture in driving the economy and creating jobs,” she lamented.
The organization also called for the timely release of budgeted funds to prevent delays in project implementation and achieve food production goals. They highlighted the importance of clearly stating capital project locations in the budget for better monitoring and accountability.
SWOFON urged the government to prioritize organic fertilizers over chemical ones, citing environmental and health concerns. They also requested special provisions for women and youth in agriculture, including budget lines for credits and loans to boost productivity and self-employment.
In response, the Gombe State Commissioner for Agriculture and Cooperatives, Dr. Barnabas Malle, represented by Bulus Jonathan, assured the farmers that the ministry was working to provide subsidies on farm implements and access to affordable services. He mentioned the availability of mini tractors and power trailers for hire at subsidized rates to assist women in farming.
In her remarks, the CEO of Hope Foundation for the Lonely, Sarah Yapwa, stressed the need for increased funding to ensure food security in the state. She warned that hunger is a serious threat and called for immediate action to address the issue.