WFD: Stakeholders urge Bauchi Govt to boost investment in agriculture
By Ahmed Ahmed
Stakeholders in the agricultural sector have called on the Bauchi State Government to increase its budgetary allocation to the Ministry of Agriculture to empower women and youth farmers for sustainable food production.
The event, organized by the Fahimta Women and Youth Development Initiative (FAWOYDI) with support from ActionAid Nigeria, was held on Thursday in Bauchi as part of activities marking the 2025 World Food Day,
The programme brought together members of the Budget Committee Group, smallholder women farmers, and a representative from the Ministry of Agriculture.
Speaking during the program, Mrs. Dinah Daniel Istifanus, Executive Director of FAWOYDI, said the 2025 World Food Day theme, “Hand in Hand for Better Food and a Better Future,” underscores the need for collaboration in achieving sustainable agricultural transformation.
She noted that smallholder women farmers are key contributors to food security in Bauchi State.
According to her, over 2,500 smallholder women farmers across the 20 Local Government Areas of the state contribute more than 60 percent of the total food supply, despite facing persistent challenges such as limited access to extension services and poor public investment in agriculture.
Also speaking, Mrs. Tabawa Atiku, Chairperson of the Budget Committee Group on Agriculture, lamented the declining budgetary allocation to the agricultural sector in Bauchi State, which she said has made it difficult to meet the 10 percent Malabo Declaration commitment.
The stakeholders emphasized that empowering women and youth farmers through targeted public investments, improved extension services, and inclusive policies remains key to achieving food security and building a better food future for all.
