A group of stakeholders has called on the federal government’s intervention to aid women farmers by granting them access to land and offering financial assistance to enable them to engage in cluster farming. This support will enhance the government’s initiatives in addressing food scarcity across the nation. Oxfam Nigeria and other various stakeholders gathered together to address the obstacles faced by farmers, especially women, in obtaining land for Agriculture in the country. The gathering, themed “Promoting the Role of Women Food Producers and Their Contribution to Food Security in Nigeria 2024” was hosted in Abuja by Oxfam Nigeria.
Ifraimu Dauda, chairman of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter, highlighted the major challenge faced by farmers as the struggle to secure land in the absence of sufficient funds, compounded by the obstacles involved in securing loans with high interest rates and impractical collateral demands. Dauda observed that lenders frequently request a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) as a mandatory condition, requiring a considerable amount of money to obtain, making it unattainable for numerous farmers facing financial difficulties. This obstacle poses a major challenge for both male and female farmers, hindering their borrowing capabilities.
Government officials urged to streamline land access for all farmers.
Despite facing unique societal obstacles that impede their independence and growth opportunities, they have made significant contributions to the field in Nigeria and around the world. Their valuable efforts deserve acknowledgment and support as they navigate challenges stemming from societal norms and gender-specific barriers that hinder their progress. The issue of accessing land poses a significant challenge beyond just financial barriers. Acquiring land even in rural areas is becoming more difficult as affluent buyers vie for even the smallest plot.
Small-scale farmers (SSF) are increasingly being pushed to the outskirts by this competition, hindering their ability to obtain the land they need to survive. Government officials were encouraged to enact policies that streamline land access for all farmers. Dauda noted that such aid would benefit female farmers and as well boost the agricultural industry in Nigeria, leading to lasting growth and food stability. He said focusing on the problems could enable the government to foster a more diverse and efficient farming sector, which would lead to positive outcomes for the whole country.
70 percent of women are actively involved in agriculture in Nigeria.
John Makina, the Country Director of Oxfam, emphasized the significant contribution of female farmers in global food production. He noted that approximately 70 percent of women are actively involved in agriculture in Nigeria, a trend that is mirrored in other African countries. Women play a vital role in agriculture, contributing at all stages of the farming process. They are responsible for various tasks such as land preparation, planting, weeding, and harvesting. They also form the majority of the workforce in the fields, showcasing their essential role in agriculture.
Nigerian women all over the country are actively involved in various stages of the agricultural process, contributing significantly to food processing, preservation, and ultimately food security. Their pivotal roles not only benefit their families and communities, but also drive Nigeria’s agricultural and economic development. Whether working as small-scale farmers or leading groundbreaking agricultural ventures, these women are leading the way in transforming the agricultural sector of Nigeria. In Nigeria, approximately 30 to 50 percent of farmers and entrepreneurs involved in crop cultivation, Livestock management, and food sales in local markets are females according to the World Bank’s estimates.
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Talking about post-harvest tasks, women play a crucial role in activities like processing, grading, and transporting goods to be sold. Despite their contributions, they encounter obstacles when trying to secure loans, with marital status being a key factor. Married ones are frequently expected to involve their husbands as guarantors when seeking financial assistance, a stipulation that hinders their access to resources and prompts doubts on the extent of support truly offered to women. Therefore, Makina argued that tackling these challenges, which is the purpose of the gathering, needs to be achieved.