From Okwe Obi, Abuja
Women farmers have cried to President Bola Tinubu over lack of inputs like seedlings, livestock feeds and fertilizer to grow crops.
National Women Leader of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Enitan Onitiri, who spoke on behalf of the farmers yesterday in Abuja, noted that food production would remain a mirage without adequate support from the Federal Government.
Onitiri told the President to instruct the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Bank of Agriculture (BOA) Nigeria Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC) and other agencies to directly work with farmers instead of going through middlemen.
“Mr President, we women, we are ready to work. We are ready to export our produce from the farm to other countries. Feeds are very expensive now.
“Most farmers are closing up because they cannot afford the feeds,. especially feeds for livestock. We need this protein for our children so that they will grow well. We need this products so that we can stop eating frozen foods.”
She added: “Agricultural business is not just the business of Government but our business and that is why when Mr. President declared emergency on food security in Nigeria, which is in line with his 8 point agenda, we strategically aligned our programmes and policies in achieving the set objective which will not only make food available, affordable and accessible but create jobs and reduce poverty among women and youths.
“The women in AFAN in the whole 36 states of Nigeria and FCT are set to make history through our strategic business partnership with development partners, NGOs, private organizations, government agencies and well mean individuals to improve food system in Nigeria and the welfare of the women in agriculture through sustainable farming practices that is climate smart, value/nutritional driven, and can satisfy the want of our people and the demand of international market.
“With our population as women in agricultural business, the level innovation in farming business, multi purpose processing machines, if we engage intentionally within the agro value chain we can create hundreds of thousands of jobs, wealth and foreign exchange and at same time end hunger which is the focal point of Mr President but we have to be intentional and collaborate.
“However, I am using this medium to reach out to other women organizations and groups both private and public to collaborate and partner with us in area of Women capacity building in Agricultural business, agro export, extension services, agro produce market access, Excotic vegetables farming, agro produce processing and packaging, farm machinery, etc.
“We have a lot of programme to empower women across the country in order to drive Agric sector and position women where they are supposed to be as far as agribusiness is concerned.
“The programmes outline will be unveiled shortly by the newly appointed Head of Women for Southern region.
“Achieving these numerous tasks require the concerted efforts of dedicated, visionary and enthusiastic players in the industry who are well versed in the challenges facing women in the industry and the Nation at large,” she added.
Meanwhile, Special Assistant to AFAN National Women Leader, Omolara Abati Svensson, pointed out that women’s empowerment in agriculture goes beyond improving food production but addressing gender inequality and discrimination.
Svensson said: “Nigerian women, constituting 70-80% of the agricultural labor force, play pivotal roles in the food and agricultural value chain.
“Despite their significant contributions, they face challenges in accessing land, credit facilities, training, technology, and more.
“Women’s empowerment in agriculture is not just about improving food production but also addressing broader issues of gender equality and discrimination.
“Women still lack a voice in decision-making and policy matters. AFAN, in its fight against hunger and poverty, holds a crucial position.
“I commit to tirelessly assisting women nationwide in realizing their agricultural potential and ensuring they have opportunities for food sufficiency.
“Our work plans include organizing symposiums for women’s training and establishing cooperative societies to provide micro-credit, mentorship, farm inputs, and access to local and international markets.
“My broad plans for the 1st 12 months in the office include but not limited to: familiarization tour of all the states in the south, training our women on how to unlearn practices that are not applicable in modern day training and re-learn the appropriate modern techniques in Agriculture and training of our women on agribusiness and the agric economics.”