Women Farmers Decry Poor Market Access, Demand Inclusion in Bauchi Agricultural Budget
By Ahmed Ahmed
Women farmers in Bauchi State have called on the state government to prioritise their needs in the agricultural budget to boost productivity, improve livelihoods, and enhance food security.
The call was made during a one-day State-Level Interactive Forum themed “Hand in Hand for Better Food and Better Future,” organised by the Fahimta Women and Youth Development Initiative (FAWOYDI) in collaboration with the Small-Scale Women Farmers Organisation in Nigeria (SWOFON), the State Ministry of Agriculture, and the State House Committee on Agriculture and Appropriation, to mark the World Food Day.
Speaking at the event, Hajiya Marka Abbas, the National Public Relations Officer of SWOFON, lamented that despite the critical role of women in Nigeria’s agricultural sector, they continue to face numerous challenges, including limited access to markets, quality seedlings, modern implements, and credit facilities.
She said the lack of loans and access to finance often forces women farmers to sell their produce at giveaway prices, thereby diminishing their profits and discouraging expansion.
“The absence of adequate insurance coverage further worsens the situation, exposing our members to risks of crop losses and economic hardship,” she added.
In her opening remarks, Mrs. Dinah Daniel Istifanus, Executive Director of FAWOYDI, said the forum was convened to provide a platform for women farmers to voice their concerns directly to policymakers and seek sustainable solutions.
She noted that for over a decade, SWOFON has consistently advocated for increased investment in women-led agriculture and the inclusion of gender-responsive measures in the state’s agricultural policies.
Presenting SWOFON’s Charter of Demands, Mrs. Fidelia Jeremiah, Secretary of the organisation in Katagum Local Government, urged the State Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to establish a Gender Steering Committee including SWOFON representatives to oversee the implementation of the National Gender Policy in agriculture.
She also called for dedicated funding within the state’s agricultural budget to support human capital development and capacity-building programmes for women farmers.
Responding, Mr. Ya’u Mohammed, Programme Manager of the Bauchi State Agricultural Development Programme (BSADP), announced the establishment of a Women Agricultural Unit within the BSADP. He urged SWOFON to appoint a desk officer to liaise with the unit to ensure their demands reach the government promptly.
Also, Mr. Dayyabu Ladan, Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, pledged legislative support for agricultural appropriations that promote women’s empowerment and food security in the state.
