Bauchi Female Farmers Call For Better Opportunities In Agriculture

The Bauchi State Chapter of the Small Scale Women Farmers Organisation of Nigeria (SWOFON), Bauchi State Chapter says there is a need for the state government to make it easier for women to venture into farming.

SWOFON State Chairperson, Marka Abass, who gave the advice in Bauchi on Saturday added that the government should also provide opportunities that would adequately empower smallholder farmers, especially women, in agricultural production.

She lamented how some roadblocks are preventing women from properly engaging in the sector that Nigeria so desperately needs.

“Governments must break down the barriers that are holding back women farmers and preventing them from accessing critical farming inputs.

“They (officials) must ensure women have secure land rights and provide women with vital funding and support for farming and means of adapting to climate change.

“Such support would protect their rights and boost their productivity. It would unleash the potential of many women farmers to effectively reduce poverty and hunger,” she said.

Abbas further stated that when women farmers get the appropriate support, it will help fight food scarcity, poverty, and climate change.

She explained that growth in small-scale agriculture was two times to four times more effective at reducing hunger and poverty than any other sector.

The Chairperson added that the role women play in the sector must not be underestimated as they say they produce a huge amount of food for their families and surrounding communities.

She added that agriculture was one sector that could provide diverse opportunities that would help empower women to provide for their families and the community at large.

She noted also that women farmers face many restrictions and struggle to get finance because of their femininity.