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From Sola Ojo, Abuja
Women smallholder farmers in Kaduna State have called for increased access to agricultural training, pest control support, soil testing services, and clearer public education on genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
To them, the request became necessary as a part of efforts to strengthen inclusive and climate-resilient agriculture in the state and beyond.
The call was made during a stakeholder engagement at a hotel in Kaduna, facilitated by Bridge That Gap Initiative (BTG), with support from Propcom+, a UK Aid–funded programme of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) focused on rural and agricultural market development.
Participants at the meeting, drawn from women farmers’ cooperatives, smallholder farmer groups, civil society organisations, government ministries, and the media, reviewed the newly revised Kaduna State Agricultural Policy, which is expected to take effect in 2026, with the aim of identifying priority advocacy areas that directly affect women and youth in agriculture.
Speaking during the discussions, women farmers stressed that beyond access to inputs, there is an urgent need for capacity building and extension services, particularly in pest control and modern farming practices.
“In several meetings, there is an assumption that women farm out of necessity alone, we have passion for farming and what we need is access to training and the right support,” a participant said.
A major concern raised was the growing myth around GMOs at the grassroots level.
According to participants, many rural communities harbour deep fears about genetically modified crops, often fuelled by rumours and lack of accurate information.
“When you go to the grassroots, people will say, ‘don’t bring GMO to us. “They tell stories that it will make people sick or even turn us into animals like monkeys.
“These fears show the need for proper sensitisation and research-based information,” the forum noted.
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Women farmers also highlighted persistent structural challenges within cooperative farming systems, including soil testing, cluster farming, storage facilities, insurance, and market access.
While offtakers often require soil tests before engagement, many farmers said they lack information on where and how to conduct such tests.
“Soil testing is very important. Imagine buying expensive seeds and fertiliser only to harvest very little.
“A soil test will tell you whether the soil is acidic or alkaline and guide you on what to plant and the right fertiliser to apply,” one of them said.
Another major barrier identified was the high cost of geo-mapping for cluster farming, with some service providers reportedly charging up to N1.5 million, placing it far beyond the reach of most women-led cooperatives.
Participants recommended women-focused radio programmes and other local-language platforms as effective tools for sensitisation on soil testing, climate-smart agriculture, insurance, and emerging technologies.
Addressing the meeting, Executive Director of Bridge That Gap Initiative, Gloria Kasang Bulus, emphasised the need for farmers to adapt to emerging environmental and health challenges.
“There is a need to respond to new realities such as unpredictable rainfall patterns and declining soil fertility.
“We are also seeing rising health concerns, including cancer becoming increasingly common. which underscores the importance of more research and transparent communication around issues like GMOs, so people can understand whether they are safe or not.”
She urged farmers to take advantage of existing government structures, particularly the Kaduna State Agricultural Development Agency (KADA), for technical guidance and support.
