The Small-Scale Women Farmers Organisation in Nigeria (SWOFON) has called on the Federal and State Governments to provide adequate protection and support to women farmers, who are facing increasing insecurity and violence.
Fatima Gunmi, National President of SWOFON, made this call at the end of a three-day training program on policy influencing and innovation, which was attended by 91 participants from across the 36 states of the federation.
Gunmi emphasized that women farmers are the backbone of the nation’s food production, yet they are facing numerous challenges, including rape, kidnappings, and killings, due to attacks by terrorist groups.
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To address these challenges, SWOFON is calling on the government to allocate at least 10% of its annual budget to the agriculture sector, as approved by the 44th National Council on Agriculture and Rural Development (NCARD).
The organization is also advocating for the implementation of agricultural policies and programs that promote inclusive food systems transformation in Nigeria.
In addition, SWOFON is urging parliamentarians to ensure that their proposed zonal intervention projects are agricultural and evidence-based, to create meaningful impact in the communities.
The Inclusive Food Systems Project (IFSP), implemented by ActionAid Nigeria, aims to ensure that Nigeria’s food systems inclusively benefit women, young people, and other vulnerable groups, driving sustainable agricultural transformation and economic growth [3).
SWOFON’s call for support and protection comes at a time when women farmers are facing increasing challenges in accessing their farms due to insecurity and violence.
As noted by Gunmi, women farmers are the nation’s food production powerhouse, and their protection and support are crucial for ensuring food security and sustainable agricultural development in Nigeria.