By Princess Simon (Bureau Chief North Central, in Minna)
Worried by the high cost of food items causing severe hunger and starvation, Small-Holders Women Farmers Organisation in Nigeria (SWOFON), Niger chapter, has called on the Governor Mohammed Umar Bago led administration to empower women and youths to venture into agriculture to boost food production and security.
If supported without any form of political, tribal and religious undertone, the group said women and youths would use their numerical strength to not only boost food security, but create jobs which will in turn improve the income and livelihood of small farmers and beginners.
Coordinator of, SWOFON in Niger state, Mrs. Grace Disa, made the appeal at one-day Stakeholders Consultative meeting which took place in Minna recently.
Speaking against the unrealistic 2025 agriculture budget, Grace said there was the urgent need for women and youths in agriculture to be given due attention through adequate financial support and extension services.
"There is this category of farmers; those who just started or want to try their hands in farming, small scale farmers who are mainly women and youths, they should be properly funded and given access to credit facilities and space to enable them contribute in food protection more of the state and country generally".
Pleading for the urgent release of funds appropriated for the association, she said, “We are passionately appealing to the state government, all relevant Ministries, MDA’s, office of the Accountant and Auditor Generals of the state to release money appropriated for us in the 2025 budget".
While encouraging more women and youths to engage in farming, no matter how little, Mrs. Grace said, “Timely release of the funds will surely boost our activities, hence, bolster food production and further guarantee food security in the state”.
She said one of the key recommendations of the meeting is the provision of budget lines and cash backing within the agriculture budget, adding that this would encourage more women and youths to take farming with deserving seriousness.
While commending Governor Bago for investing huge in agriculture, Grace said, “Provisions for women and youths in agriculture should be prioritised. Also, the timeliness for funds disbursements and other subsidized inputs like the different brands of fertiliser should as well be considered". NNL.
